To say we live in difficult times would be an understatement. What is being witnessed (and more worryingly what is not) is on the verge of apocalyptic. As we Maltese enjoy our usual summer down time, it is hard to believe that elsewhere on the shores of the Mediterranean others are experiencing hell on earth.

Innocent civilians are being butchered while others are living in terror because of political stubbornness, religious extremism and greed. However, while these crises are unravelling in close proximity to southern and eastern Europe, it seems that the EU has turned into a spectator rather than the regional force for peace that it was hoped to have grown into over the years.

In Gaza, the continuing Israeli incursion has resulted in one of the most one-sided and bloodiest conflicts in recent Mediterranean history. The harrowing number of civilian deaths, including those of young children, have drawn minimal reactions from major European leaders.

In the face of such persecutions, civilian casualties and flagrant violations of human rights, the EU can no longer remain silent

Sickening images have travelled and brought shelled hospitals, razed UN camps and civilian casualties into our homes. International human rights activists have called for Israel to be investigated for war crimes. Both Hamas and the Israeli government stand guilty as charged when it comes to the killing of innocent civilians.

As though the latest Arab-Israeli conflict is not enough, further instability has been brewing in the Mediterranean.

Libya’s road to a fully-functioning state and healthy public sphere was never going to be an easy task and was seriously underestimated by the EU. This is evidenced by the flaring up of new waves of tribal and factional conflicts in various parts of the country including Tripoli itself. These armed clashes are resulting in the further loss of life and the interruption of the journey to normality for Libyans and those living there.

Instability and indecision are also rife when dealing with the present crisis in Eastern Europe. Strategic games are at play with sanctions used by the EU to try to drag Russia into line. Such an action seems to be inconsequential as fighting between Russian-backed militias and the Ukranian army continues and once again it is civilians that are caught in between.

Of course, one cannot but mention recent events in Syria and northern Iraq. If nothing else stimulates a wake-up call, then the violent and fanatical group calling itself IS surely should. Their holy war against all non-Sunnis has targeted communities of Christians and Yazidis who were forced to flee, pay up or risk being killed in the most brutal of ways.

What is of major concern for the EU is that many of these so-called jihadists stem from European member states. This is certainly a clear indication that there is something not quite right somewhere within the political and moral fabric of the EU.

Last week Gianni Pitella, the president of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, said that European institutions are deaf and blind to these international crises around us. He said it is a shame that the European Council president, Herman Van Rompuy, refused to call an extraordinary meeting as officially requested by the S&D Group.

Pitella held that in the face of such persecutions, civilian casualties and flagrant violations of human rights, the EU can no longer remain silent.

In his personal e-mail to us S&D MEPs, he said it is unacceptable that the EU is planning to wait until the end-of-August sitting of the European Council to take concrete action on the above. That is why the S&D Group – as the only group in the European Parliament to have emphasised the need for the EU to play an active role in favour of peace – felt it is imperative to launch an awareness campaign: #EuwakeUp: a campaign that I am endorsing in its entirety.

Holidays pale into insignificance when innocent lives are being lost every hour.

I believe that Europe – a supposed champion for all we value in the free world – has moral and political obligations to act in order to defend human dignity as well as religious, ethnic and cultural diversities.

Europe needs to put its entire diplomatic machine into action. We must seek ways with which to pressure all entities and governments involved in the current conflicts. We need to appeal to the more moderate individuals to convince their leaders to stop this bloodshed.

Sadistic egos need to be reigned in… they need to be made to understand that politics and office should be a force for good and not an excuse to kill civilians, destroy lives and dreams. Nothing is more precious than a child’s life.

Any conflict around the world will come in and out of media focus as it becomes overshadowed by other tragedies elsewhere.

That is why we need to seize this moment of heightened consciousness and interest in the realities faced by civilians in Gaza, Syria, Iraq, Libya and Ukraine and push for long-term solutions.

I believe in the human sense of equality and mutual care that has seen Jews and Muslims support each other; that makes Muslim Iraqis cry over the death of their Christian countrymen. They show the world that they do not feel superior to one another, they do not hate each other. On the contrary, they share their lives and want nothing more than a serene and tranquil life.

I will use my seat in the European Parliament to represent and put forward the dismay felt by the Maltese people in the face of these heinous crimes and I will work incessantly to initiate and implement solutions that can last.

Miriam Dalli is a Labour member of the European Parliament