Finding Home in War
August 29, 2017 11:01 AM Subscribe
The history—and limitations—of the international refugee regime.
The parents of two young children, Iyad and Jamila are deep in love and friendship, though they scarcely knew each other when they wed a decade ago in Dara’a, a province in southern Syria. Traditional marriage was typical in their rural town, a place where the typical has now become extraordinary. An uprising-turned-war upended life for all: protesters became prisoners, the everyday became violence, and citizens became refugees. Torture and oppression drove Iyad’s family to flee, but it did not lead them to security elsewhere. Despite the vast institutional landscape that is the international refugee regime, the family found no refuge.
The parents of two young children, Iyad and Jamila are deep in love and friendship, though they scarcely knew each other when they wed a decade ago in Dara’a, a province in southern Syria. Traditional marriage was typical in their rural town, a place where the typical has now become extraordinary. An uprising-turned-war upended life for all: protesters became prisoners, the everyday became violence, and citizens became refugees. Torture and oppression drove Iyad’s family to flee, but it did not lead them to security elsewhere. Despite the vast institutional landscape that is the international refugee regime, the family found no refuge.
Interesting--if slightly depressing (now I worry about Iyad and Jamila!)--read. We as a collective humanity do so little for refugees and knowing about the history of the UNHCR and other international bodies does help illuminate why.
posted by librarylis at 8:16 PM on August 30, 2017
posted by librarylis at 8:16 PM on August 30, 2017
« Older well, have a nap. | “The idea was what I called a ‘real world... Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 8:16 PM on August 30, 2017