Dear Mr Doughty
I’m writing to express my concern that the UK Government is
contemplating a campaign of violence against the people of the nation of Syria,
and even doing so without a UN mandate.
As my MP and representative in Parliament I would like you
to strongly oppose any move by the UK Government to take unilateral military action
or action in partnership with other countries, but without a UN mandate. Military
action without a UN mandate is the action of a rogue state, not a civilised
nation.
I also ask you to request that the UK Government ensures all
diplomatic and other avenues are exhausted before embarking on military action.
We simply cannot keep up this path of armed response. The history of UK military
interventions in the 21st century contains many lessons for us. It’s
easy to get into conflicts. It’s hard to get out of them.
The scenes of chemical weapons use in Syria are horrendous. The
UK Government has my full support in trying to discover the perpetrators and bring
them to justice. I recognise that may mean military action as a very last
resort. However, any response has to target the right people with precision.
Otherwise, what is the difference between indiscriminate military action from
the UK or USA and indiscriminate military action by Syrian forces on either
side of the civil war?
I used the term ‘last resort’ because from the comments
heard in the news today, it appears some MPs are suggesting violent action as a
‘first resort’.
There are other things that concern me. What is the
likelihood of a response from Russia if military action is taken by the UK /
USA? Also, there have been threats made against the Christian minority in Syria
that militias will target them if ‘Christian’ countries attack Syria. How do we
know that Western military action will not unleash a pogrom against these
oppressed religious minorities? A wave of violence against non-Muslims has
recently engulfed Egypt, and the sizeable Christian minority in Iraq has been
systematically targeted and all but exterminated by vigilantes since the UK &
American invasion in 2002.
I know this is a very difficult time for all our Members of
Parliament and I hope you find a way forward that best serves both our nation and
the oppressed people of Syria.
With best wishes,
Jon Matthias