Beyond the disturbing, graphical images that tug at the heart strings public sentiment is influencing the sensibilities of European leaders over the trickle that threatens to become a mass exodus of migrants.
If the lifeless body of a three-year old washed ashore sparked outrage, the unpublished and indeed those that were never captured by any lens, would have created a mayhem of a different kind. It should never have come to this. Dead children should never be the trigger for action. Action should have come much before.
The scenes of helpless destitutes fleeing for their lives from war-torn conflicts of which they had no part and certainly were not the cause should have been enough. Makeshift homes in trains, dodging barbed wire barriers and braving the seas with no protection whatsoever speak silently for the desperation that drives them to put even the lives of the children at risk. That the problem was not of their creation but rather the flawed leadership of countries that seek to impose their kind of 'right' to replace their view of 'wrong' is a fact that is fast coming to bear on conscience.
The reaction of European citizens are in stark contrast to leadership views with Germany again leading the pack by listening to the unspoken voices as Germans poured out their support from food to toys for the migrants. They are proud ones stating clearly they are not refugees but migrants. Open border Europe woke up literally overnight to a situation where they came in numbers and the use of force to stop them was no option whatsoever.
The issue has created a three pronged divide. France and Germany are mooting a proposal for equitable absorption of migrants; the ViseGrad four -- Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic -- will most likely take a decision shortly.
And Britain,Ireland and Denmark with no compulsions have begun to state their positions. Ireland is positive, Britain moved from an emphatic 'no' to agreeing on thousands and Denmark, likely to follow suit.
Some statements border on the incredulous. Hungary's Prime Minister Orban's comment that this was 'Germany's problem' was unhelpful and yet another was downright disgraceful. He actually used a religious argument that Christianity would be at threat which is unacceptable. His government's reaction by toughening border controls and punitive fines for border violators is all well and good. But how does one fine those who have nothing in the first place?
As always Europe's prickly problem of easy cross border movements craved for by many will be used as a bargaining (read pressure point) tool. And the UK will not want its proposed renegotiated relationship with Europe to come under risk.
Four million Syrian refugees are currently sheltered in Lebanon, Egypt and incredibly, Iraq. But the concern is that more will follow. And following the cold-shoulder of Hungary, the stream is headed on foot towards Germany and Austria. Skinheads in Hungary have taken the opportunity of attacking these helpless people and in a macabre way Hungary may have sent a message of sorts. If the same is propagated by other countries the peace will be disturbed.
With unemployment and social issues being grappled by Europe in addition to economic troubles, one can be sensitive to their concerns and fears. But in a dwindling population there are jobs the locals still snub and ones that these migrants would gratefully embrace. That may set many economies back on track with cheaper options.
(The writer may be reached at mahmudrahman@gmail.com)
