Speaking of bravery, it seems timely to re-run the interview with Ruth Russell, who went as a human shield to Iraq. Not only was she prepared to die, but she knew how to commit suicide, and had her passport number tattooed on her arm, as "not many Iraqi a soldiers are likely to speak English."
It was a teacher who did it. Her University Lecturer who said "it only takes 12 people to stand up to a dictator". Whether you agree with Ruth or not, there is no doubting her courage and spirit. If she achieved nothing else she has shown that ordinary people can make a difference. You don't have to go to Iraq, you don't have to risk your life, you have simply to stand up and be counted.
What is a human shield?
The Geneva Convention states that certain areas should not be bombed: food silos; water treatment plants; electricity for civilians. However, during the 1991 gulf war, food silos had been bombed by the British in disregard of the Geneva Convention. As an Australian, aware of our big wheat exports to Iraq, I decided to go to the wheat silos.
When the human shields arrived they went immediately to the UN Development Fund, who told them where to find the bona fide sites. (These are NOT military sites, but sites designated as essential humanitarian sites) Also a new idea was "Shock and Awe" that you could drop your first 3,000 bombs on a capital city, Bagdad, made up largely of civilians. Think for a moment about what that means - "shock and awe".
In fact the pressure of world opinion was so strong the US reduced the number of bombings. So, sometimes speaking up does have an effect.
But weren't you frightened?
In truth, I must admit to fleeting moments of angst leading me to identifying my two worst fears - being badly burnt (Iraq had few medical supplies due to sanctions); and being captured by American troops, ending up in Guantanamo Bay as a traitor. But "taking a stand makes you free", I realized that this is where I must be. The right place to represent all the Australians who didn't believe in the war. However, I was not as brave as another Australian, Osama, who was an Iraqi born Queensland farmer. He decided to be a human shield at the oil refineries. Can you imagine what a bombed oil refinery would be like?
I have a deep seated understanding that violence will never bring lasting change.
In achieving this ambition, what was the most surprising thing to happen to you?
Once I had made the decision it just seemed right for me. All kinds of opportunities opened up for me to have a really powerful voice. Suddenly all the media, papers, TV studio and radio stations were interested; I realized that I had the power to make a difference. When we got to Amman, Jordan, there was a world press conference with people there from all over the world. Then in Baghdad, Iraq, there were 10 Australians, one of whom was really media savvy which was useful. People from 52 countries came to be human shields. There I was representing Australians; Australians who didn't wish to support the war.
When I was a mature student studying Russian history, Prof Margaret Allen said something that so affected me, that 25 years later I chose to stand up. She said, "At certain times in the history of the world, it only takes a nominal 12 people to stand up against a dictator". This got me thinking, would I have the courage to stand up? It is because of her that I thought, "What is life if not lived with integrity?". Yes, I was one of those who would stand up for what I believed was right. I didn't know it would be 25 years before that moment occurred. It was a highly emotional decision, yet worked through rationally.
To read more extracts from the interview go to the archive.
©2012 Christina@wwom.org
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