Earlier this week it was reported that hundreds of illegal migrants drowned in the Mediterranean Sea as they were attempting to cross into Europe. As a result, various hashtags started trending in solidarity with the those who lost their lives in the quest of seeking a better future. We talk about social media activism and how it is a powerful tool to raise awareness, but what about change? We tweet, retweet, post and share but how is that going to help the hundreds of people who flee their countries on a daily basis?
We cannot sit at home and expect that having tweeted or retweeted something is enough help as the issue needs action more than awareness. We try to put the blame on others or argue that it is not our responsibility and in the meantime, we miss out on the importance of the issue, which is not who to hold accountable for the loss of lives but who to bring change. We have seen the rise in various political parties that campaign against migration in various European countries, but if I am going to throw the ball to you, and in turn, you will throw it to someone else - who is going to help all those people on the run?
According to the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person and no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. So, how is this declaration of any use when no one is implementing it?
— The reader is a Swedish student based in Gothenburg, Sweden
