Ignored Injustices: Alternative Focal Points for Global Outrage

Strategic Insights -

As protesters around the world continue to cry out for justice in Gaza and Ukraine, a vast silence has fallen over some of the world's most egregious abusers. From Venezuela to Iran, these injustices cry out for attention and action. This column aims to shed light on these ignored crises and encourage morally energetic college students to take a stand.

Key Takeaways:

  • In Venezuela, the socialist regime of Nicolás Maduro has stolen the country's election, arresting over 2,000 people suspected of dissent and causing the desperate exodus of millions of poor Venezuelans, with over 10,000 living in New York City shelters as of last year.
  • Turkey, a NATO ally and recipient of billions in American largesse, is an illiberal state run by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, an antisemitic Islamist who has jailed scores of journalists and waged a brutal war against Kurds in Syria and Iraq.
  • In Ethiopia and Sudan, critics of U.S. foreign policy often overlook the staggering human rights abuses taking place, including the deaths of at least 65,000 people in Sudan and estimated 600,000 deaths in Ethiopia.
  • Iran's regime has committed atrocities such as systematically raping protesters, imposing the death penalty for homosexuality, and taking entire countries hostage, including Lebanon.
  • A diverse range of groups, including the Rohingya in Myanmar, Uyghurs in China, Christians in Nigeria, and ethnic minorities in Russia, also deserve the world's attention, compassion, and assistance.

Statistics:

  • Over 10,000 Venezuelans are living in New York City shelters as of last year.
  • Estimated 65,000 people have died of violence or starvation in Sudan since fighting broke out last year.
  • Nearly 11 million people have been turned into refugees in Sudan.
  • Estimated 600,000 deaths have occurred in Ethiopia as a result of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's war against ethnic Tigrayans.
  • Iran has systematically raped protesters, men as well as women, according to CNN's documentation in 2022.

Sources:

  • CNN, "Iran's Government Responds to Protesters with Systematic Rape," 2022
  • Operation Broken Silence, "Sudan Crisis: A Call to Action"
  • The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor