The massacre in France last Friday night must be denounced by decent people across the world. It also calls for much more than condemnation and raising of voices in outrage at this barbaric act that claimed the lives of innocent people.
France has been subjected to numerous acts of terrorism over the past 20 years, and even though it is so far from our shores, yet it is still very close. Air transportation and technology have truly made the world a global community. So, on Friday night, Barbadians were in Paris, some as students, others attending Unesco business, some simply vacationing in the world's most popular tourist destination. Thankfully, no Barbadian there was injured when the sport, music and relaxation were so brutally interrupted.
It is evident that this carnage in Paris was well co-ordinated by sick minds, whose ends are justified only by their means: no sanctity for human life. Surprisingly, in a city that had been the scene of vicious acts of terrorism earlier this year, the French security officials suffered a serious lapse in intelligence and preparedness.
This act also shows that this war of terror is led by deranged minds with willing lunatics as followers, who are willing to take their violence to any part of the world. So from Kenya to Spain to London to Nigeria, the acts of terror must be denounced and action taken against the protagonists. It is not a problem only in Europe but in Africa as well.
This is not an occasion to mourn just for France, once more, but to ensure that we do not have to mourn for Kenya, Nigeria or even Barbados again. We know all too well the impact of terrorism. October 6, 1976, and the blowing up of a Cubana airliner, killing 73 people, is still a vivid reminder.
United States President Barack Obama was right when he described Friday night's tragedy as "an attack on all humanity," and while he stands ready to give France all the necessary support in any retaliation it may seek, this is also the time for a multinational security operation to be undertaken to rid the world of the criminal extremists, be it in Syria, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia or elsewhere.
The Chinese and Russians must appreciate the necessity of joining in a united fight against these evil forces whose agenda is only about hate and destruction. These two powerful nations must not hinder the work of the United Nations Security Council if it is called upon to approve action against those who promote the wilful destruction of others.
We recognise that terrorism has refashioned the world, where security and fear now go hand in hand, and where there is always suspicion and a lack of trust. But in all, we must neither give in nor be defeated by those who do not cherish freedom–whether in Paris or Bridgetown.
–Barbados Nation