STATEMENT: We are all Parisians. We are all Migrants. We are all Refugees

(Statement on the events in Paris, Sinai, and Beirut, Nov 16, 2015.)

By Walden Bello

Former Chairman of the Committee on Overseas Workers’ Affairs, House of Representatives, Republic of the Philippines

We express our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who perished in Paris, Beirut, and the Metrojet explosion over the Sinai.

Those who planned and took the lives of hundreds of innocent human beings committed hideous deeds, deeds that go against the universal values of humanity. These barbaric acts can never, never be justified by an appeal to religion. They go against the essence of Islam, a religion that affirms life.

At the same time, we must discern the reasons why people are driven to such acts. Their actions stem not from nihilism but from a perverted sense of justice, out of a desire for vengeance against wrongs done to their people. As a recent statement from Attac France points out, one cannot separate the events in Paris from the military interventions of the French government in Syria, Mali, Chad, Niger, and Central African Republic. One must also place them in the context of the exclusion and economic marginalization that has led to a profound sense of alienation and anger among France’s migrant population. Isis or Daesh, Attac correctly states, “derives its inhuman strength from these injustices.”

President Francois Hollande declares that “France is at war.” He needs to be reminded of the words of another head of state, at a time of infinitely greater challenge, that in circumstances such as that in which France finds itself, “The worst thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Despite its superficial militance, President Hollande’s statement is really a case of giving in to fear and panic.

The failure of the “War on Terror” declared by the US government since 2001 reminds us that a military strategy is the wrong answer to Isis. While governments must protect their citizens, the principal response to Isis and Al Qaeda should be to address the historical and contemporary injustices that have bred them. The “merciless war” that President Hollande promises is wrongheaded and will merely accelerate the descent into even more violence. Instead of a declaration of war, the only viable response of humanity today is one that repudiates vengeance and seeks peace with justice.

A grave danger that confronts Europe is a response that scapegoats migrants and migrant communities as responsible for the deeds of Isis and advocates curtailment of their rights and the closing of borders to people seeking asylum from the wars in the Middle East in which the Western powers are implicated. In France, the National Front led by Marine Le Pen, is likely to benefit from the fears and prejudices stoked by the attacks. It is imperative that the peoples of France and Europe stand fast against these racist, anti-Muslim reactions. It is imperative that they resist calls to “merciless war” that simply conciliate and embolden the rabid right.

Filipinos are prominent among the migrant populations of Europe, North America, and the Middle East. While they may not be the targets of attack at this point, anti-foreign and anti-migrant feelings, if allowed to spread, will eventually target them too. They must stand in solidarity with all migrant communities.

We are all Parisians. We are all migrants. We are all refugees.