.: The Red Brick – Dubai College's Student Newspaper :.

Two consecutive vetoes, first against a Palestinian statehood and then against a Syrian resolution, have left the international community shamefaced as the fundamentally flawed United Nations Security Council fails the world again.

As Syria pushes into its eighth month of anti-government protests, the violence that grips the country still shows no sign of lessening. With each passing day, fresh deaths litter the newspapers, and with each death the burning flame of anger against President Bashar al-Assad is stoked a little more. At the start of the month, the world turned to the United Nations, that terrific mediator of all conflicts, to support the struggle of the Syrian people. Then, even after a resolution against al-Assad was drafted, international justice was once again denied by one of the biggest diplomatic obstacles of our time – the veto.  

Born out of the insecurity of the post World War II era, the veto, or a negative vote by a permanent member of the UN, prevents the adoption of a proposal by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), regardless of the support in favour of it. Consequently, the ability to veto is a shield that ensures the founding members of the United Nations will never have their beautiful creation turned against them. In short, the veto power makes permanent members wonderfully democratic dictators.

In the case of the Syrian resolution, Russia and China had to veto in order to protect their military and oil interests in their mutual ally Syria. It’s a perfectly valid reason if you ignore their moral obligation to intervene in the wake of thousands of deaths. But how did they manage to pull of such a farce? The official word was that the draft was based on a ‘philosophy of confrontation’. Perhaps they failed to recognize that the heavily diluted resolution had no military allusions whatsoever.

But this is not the first time that the veto has come in the way of international justice. History is littered with past incidents, notably the inability of the UN to confront Israel throughout the 60s and 70s on its expansionist policies. Even last month, the United States were able to fend of widespread international pressure for the recognition of Palestinian statehood, simply by vetoing the concept. Maybe with presidential elections just around the corner, Obama needs to muster all the support he can get, especially from Jewish American voters. But is he willing to do so at the expense of the entire Palestinian nation? When the national interests of one government outweigh international justice, something is seriously wrong. And the veto has allowed for this to take place.

Ever heard of Mohamed Bouazizi? This Tunisian streetvendor set himself on fire in protest against the confiscation of his wares and subsequent humiliation by a municipal officer. He was one of the catalysts of the Arab Spring, a revolution that proved that the people will govern the world in the near future. But in order to live in a truly democratic world the power to veto must seriously be reformed. We must not carry this baggage from the past and allow it to shape international relations. You wouldn’t try to make fire by rubbing two twigs together, would you?

According to the annual statistics released by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in Dubai, there has been a noticeable drop in the number of Britons arrested in the UAE. Perhaps it was the effect of the British Consul visit to schools (like Mandy who visited DC in April) or the impact that the arrests had on the headlines back home, but undeniably British behaviour in the UAE has improved.

The number of Britons arrested on drug-related offences in the UAE has fallen by 79%, whilst the number of arrests overall (including drug-related offences) fell by 18%. One million Britons visit the UAE each year, however, last year they were most likely to be arrested in the Emirates than anywhere else, second only to Thailand. In response to this, the British Embassies in the UAE increased their outreach programme activities, providing educative talks at schools such as DC, advice through the media and travel advice published in British newspapers.  As a result, the UAE has moved into seventh place as Britons travelling abroad are now most likely to be arrested in Spain and the US, highlighting the raised awareness that Britons have when on holiday here.  

Clearly the message has finally got through… When living abroad, Britons need to respect the local laws and culture.

 Only after two recent typhoons has the international community been reminded of Japan’s continual plight in the wake of natural disasters – highlighting our ignorance (or reluctance) to provide sustained aid in the essential recovery process.

 On March 11, 2011, Japan was struck by a devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami. The magnitude of the disaster was unquestionable – 9.0 on the Richter scale, 24,000 dead and billions of dollars in damage.

 There was a certain shock value in watching twenty foot waves pummel a house. Our hearts lent themselves to victims and our hands reached for wallets. But as the images fade, we forget and carry on with our lives and our troubles. Of course, this is understandable. Who wants to live the worries of someone else when there’s perfectly enough at home? But at that moment, when the waters recede and the last are pulled from under debris, the greatest struggle begins – towards normalization. In Japan, this has continued for the past seven months and it’s already seen one prime minister go.

 Yet 80000 people still live in temporary housing.

 What many people fail to realize, is just how tough the road to recovery is. Aid is difficult to administer and does not reach everyone. The political situation in Japan has only recently stabilized. And even now Japan’s fragile economy peeters on the edge.

 But what of the victims? What of the people who have to live in such difficult conditions without an end in sight? Isn’t this where the international community has an obligation to intervene? We’re not talking about hundreds of rescue teams or billions of pounds in aid. But simply, experts in logistics and disaster management, people to help plan recovery and distribute aid. Incidentally, of the 22 countries that pledged aid after the disaster, not one of them sent disaster management personnel to Japan. Surely a truly concerned nation would be interested in providing sustained assistance that could help Japan rebuild in the long run, not just a politically correct spontaneous reaction.

 The Japanese people are suffering. And they are not receiving coverage. Sadly in today’s ridiculously fast world, Networks and Publishing houses have to resort to more eye catching news in order to make the largest possible impression on viewers in the shortest amount of time. But sometimes what isn’t in the news involves some of the most pressing issues today. Japan’s need is undoubtedly pressing – typhoon Talas (killed 90) and typhoon Roke (killed 11) have battered an already stagnant recovery, and with much of typhoon season left to go, still more damage could be done. In a country beaten and bruised, a fragile hope dangerously flickers. And now there is a fear no one is listening. We have to remind the Japanese that we, the international community, are there for them – and that they are neither out of sight nor out of mind.

1918: the year women in Germany, Canada and Austria got their vote.

1928: the year women in England got their vote.

2015: the year women in Saudi Arabia are finally given the right to vote and stand for election.

In 2015, women in Saudi Arabia will get the vote for the first time in the nation's history

Almost a century after the first women in Europe were given the vote, King Abdullah - the 87 year old monarch of Saudi Arabia – has granted women the ability ‘to run as candidates in the municipal election’ and the ‘right to vote’. This is seen as a big step for many, as the fundamentalist state of Saudi Arabia has been depriving women of basic civic freedoms that others are able to enjoy all over the world. In Saudi Arabia, women’s rights are governed by the Wahhabi school of Sunni Islam and Islamic law (Sharia). However, in recent years this has been criticized due to its radical interpretation of laws over issues such as the right to drive and the demand that a male is to accompany a woman on any trip outside of the confinements of their household.

Due to this law and the administrative vacuum, women are also not allowed to drive cars or even obtain a drivers license. There was even a campaign to issue these driving licenses which involved women taking control of the driving wheel; however with the protection of a male guardian at hand. This had little effect with authorities, which complained that the women were provoking them, which led to the arrest of many campaigners.

However, surprisingly, King Abdullah is proving to be sympathetic to the pledge of the Saudi women; for example he backed the establishment of a non-segregated university and has discussed plans to appoint women to senior positions. Sadly, even though 60% university students are women, only 10% of those in the workforce are- which clearly underlines the fact that they are unable to lead the life of a educated women in the modern world.

Some pivotal changes have started in the last few months, the most important and influential being the launch of the Arab Spring; a revolutionary wave of demonstrations and protests occurring in the Arab world. This has paved the way for others who are unhappy with their social situation and seek political change. This, along with domestic pressure for women’s rights is seen to have prompted this change in the political system. The King now claims that ‘Because we refuse to marginalize women in society in all roles that comply with the Sharia, we have decided, after deliberation with our senior ulama (clerics) and others… to involve women in the Shura council as members, starting from next term”.

Many may argue that this as only small step for womankind, however, this could inspire hope in the minds of many more Saudi Arabian Women who will continue their fight towards equality. Any change, however small, can only be viewed as a good sign.

According to the annual statistics released by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in Dubai, there has been a noticeable drop in the number of Britons arrested in the UAE. Perhaps it was the effect of the British Consul visit to schools (like Mandy who visited DC in April) or the impact that the arrests had on the headlines back home, but undeniably British behaviour in the UAE has improved.

The number of Britons arrested on drug-related offences in the UAE has fallen by 79%, whilst the number of arrests overall (including drug-related offences) fell by 18%. One million Britons visit the UAE each year, however, last year they were most likely to be arrested in the Emirates than anywhere else, second only to Thailand. In response to this, the British Embassies in the UAE increased their outreach programme activities, providing educative talks at schools such as DC, advice through the media and travel advice published in British newspapers.  As a result, the UAE has moved into seventh place as Britons travelling abroad are now most likely to be arrested in Spain and the US, highlighting the raised awareness that Britons have when on holiday here.  

Clearly the message has finally got through… When living abroad, Britons need to respect the local laws and culture.