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Justice: The Key to Global Peace and Security
Monday, 12 September 2011 18:47
(Opinion) - Despite the thunderous, reverberating clamour for global peace and security, the world continues
to be plagued by terrorist attacks, political turmoil, civil unrest, popular uprising, riots and the like. The question arises now: How can we achieve the noble goal of guaranteeing world peace and security, given the fact that people are growing more and more greedy and selfish, which prompts them to behave anyhow? Well, it is an arduous task, I must confess. However, I note in haste that the problem is not insurmountable. Since we cannot enjoy veritable and durable peace and security in the absence of justice, we can resolve the problem only by promoting justice to make sure that it prevails. But one may ask again: How can we ensure the prevalence of justice? This is the duty of all and sundry, particularly politicians, religious leaders and journalists who are among the most influential members of society, if not the most. The aforementioned nemeses are a cause for great concern as they affect people all over the world, directly or indirectly. At this juncture, I would like to single out and dilate on terrorism which receives so much media coverage and attracts rapt attention globally.
I am in accord with the call to combat terrorism but would like to caution that the issue is being blown out of proportion in some quarters for ulterior motives. As former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan aptly put it in an interview, some world leaders capitalize on the issue to curb dissent or eliminate their opponents and perceived enemies. I would add that some rogue leaders in Third World countries use it to please Western leaders in order to gain their favour. This has led to a situation where anybody can be branded as a terrorist anywhere and anytime. The line between terrorists and non-terrorists has become too blurred and indistinct. Some of those who claim to be fighting terrorism are bigger terrorists than the people they label as terrorists. It is not only ironical but also nauseating to hear an infamous rebel leader (warlord-turned-president) call people terrorists, offering to help in the crusade against terrorism. Equally disgusting is the fact that some world leaders who terrorize their own compatriots to suppress them lack the scruples but have the guts to castigate other people, branding them as terrorists. This is a case of the chimpanzee describing the baboon as ‘ugly’. Those leaders who brutalize their subjects as a way of tightening their grip on power while portraying themselves as peace-lovers are terrorists in disguise. Pure and simple! Whatever form terrorism takes, and whatever motive those involved in it have, terrorism is not the best way to solve a problem. I have the conviction that it is the most irrational option. If you use terrorism as a retaliatory means, you end up killing, harming or offending innocent people and thus become culpable, like your enemies or oppressors. If you suppress your people by terrorizing them, be sure that you are inviting trouble, for repression can give rise to a rebellion, civil unrest, popular uprising or political turmoil and your eventual downfall and disgrace, just as we have seen recently. Beware! Terrorism does more harm than good, if at all there is any good associated with it. Abhor it!
Let me now discuss the issue of promoting justice raised earlier and lay it to rest. Political leaders should be more considerate and attentive to the needs and sufferings of the masses whose interest they rightly or wrongly claim to have at heart and serve. They should treat people equally, shunning the practice of favouritism, nepotism and sectionalism which breeds grudge, disgruntlement, hatred and enmity. They should bear in mind that their misbehaviour and blunders can spell doom or disaster for them in particular and people in general. Where there is a problem, they should admit it and take remedial measures with immediate effect, rather than trying to obscure the facts or shift the blame onto others by using them as scapegoats to camouflage the situation. They should always consult those who know or seek their opinions on matters of national interest instead of making rash decisions and mystifying themselves by behaving as charlatans, trying to give the impression that they know everything, possess supernatural powers and are invincible. Whatever picture of themselves they and their flatterers want to depict, the fact remains that they are mere mortals with limited knowledge and power. As simple as that! It is worth noting that rather than impressing or convincing people, one exposes his ignorance, folly, cowardice, paranoia and vulnerability by pretending to be all-knowing or superhuman. Problems should not be exaggerated or invented to discredit political rivals for selfish gains. Instead of trying to cling onto power at all cost, as if they are indispensable- which is far from being the case- political leaders should be willing to relinquish power smoothly and peacefully to pave the way for new blood. Tolerance, compassion and mercy should be used as guiding principles. Bullying one’s own compatriots or weaker nations should be avoided as much as possible.
It is the duty of religious leaders to preach justice in society and guide political leaders. Our venerable prophet (may peace be upon him) said in this regard: “The best jihad (fight in the cause of God) is to tell the truth while sitting with a tyrant.” Of course, it is good to extol the good deeds of a political leader to encourage him but praising or flattering him all the time could be misleading. It is a well known fact that some world leaders lack affability and are too haughty and vainglorious to accept mistakes or take advice. If religious leaders don’t have the required wisdom or courage to call such arrogant, contemptuous, disdainful, praise-loving, self-praising and misguided leaders to order or tell them the truth when they go wrong, they should- at least- refrain from eulogizing or praising them. Otherwise, they are seen as sycophants, puppets, accomplices or unpatriotic citizens who are insensitive to the problems of others, and rightly so. No work, act or deed is meaningful if it is paired with oppression or violation of human rights- injustice. Therefore, it is illogical, shameful and sinful for religious leaders to cultivate the habit of praising a political leader knowing fully well that his bad deeds outweigh his good deeds by far.
Journalists act as watchdogs of society besides rendering other invaluable, meritorious services to humanity. Since wrong-doers do not want their misdeeds to be exposed, the activities of investigative journalists could serve as deterrence. Thus, journalists can help promote justice and fair play in society by conducting thorough research and reporting their findings without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.
Written by Ebou Gaye
NB: This article is in response to an invitation extended to me to join the Gainako Online Newspaper editors in their fifth anniversary celebration as a special guest writer. I would like to seize the opportunity to congratulate the editors of Gainako and wish them happy anniversary, praying to Allah the Almighty to reward them and their counterparts for the wonderful job they are doing, facilitate their work and grant them success in their endeavours.
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