In the huge international crisis resulting from the events taking place in North Africa, Malta’s strategic importance once again came to the fore with a big number of countries relying on our hospitality and impeccable logistics to repatriate thousands of workers evacuated from Libya due to the instability in the country and the dangerous situation the Libyans are faced with.
This is history in the making. The cry for freedom of the suppressed Libyans has given a lesson to the whole world that liberty and democracy know no religion, no skin colour and no borders. The uprisings there and in the other countries of the Arab world are clear indications it is time to concretely say no to all dictatorships. It is plain to see these citizens want to have rights we in the western world take for granted. We have to keep in mind these rights are not exclusive to us and we must act, and act now, to help give the power to the people where it rightly belongs.
Many of these people have no idea what democracy is. They have heard so many demonising stories about the west and about our culture that many of them never thought it was an option for better living, for better conditions and for a better future for their children. On the other hand, many of the sons and daughters of the dictators in power have been schooled in the west and, thus, know how dangerous to their power and tyranny democracy and freedom of speech can be.
It is indeed sad to see a country blessed with so many natural resources keep its citizens in such a poor state. It is indeed a shame to see that so many billions of euros are spent in armaments and in buying personal estates while the rest of the people are living on the verge of poverty. Even things we consider basic are a luxury for these peoples. Education is minimal, sanitation scant and medical care inadequate; all this when this country, this neighbour of ours, could easily be paved with gold. One Libyan rightly said it would have been better had there been no oil because there would have been no dictatorship either.
It is unacceptable that this man who proclaims to be the saviour of his people sends killers and thugs to kill at will while denying any wrongdoing and while accusing the whole world of plotting against him. He is detached from reality and attached to power up to a point where he does not care if all the Libyans are massacred if this guarantees the survival of his throne.
I believe it is just not enough to condemn him. The international community must act in concrete ways to stop this slaughter of innocent people. These people want their country back. They want to reintegrate in the international scene. They want the stigma that comes with their green flag and their green passport to be removed. They are not to blame for the vile acts of their dictator and his entourage and they want us to look at them as normal human beings fighting for a better life.
Nations have shown an ability to unite during times of crisis. Once again, nations should unite to help this country. Let us help the Libyan people to claim and reap what is theirs. Most importantly, let us support the Libyans in their desire to be protected by the fundamental rights that all humans share – rights that have been thwarted because of the greed of one person. It is time for him to go and to pay for his atrocities. It is time for Muammar Gaddafi to go now and put an end to the misery of six million Libyans.
The author is a Nationalist member of the European Parliament.