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For years, the Russian and Syrian governments, their paid trolls and useful idiots on both the far right and the left have dominated the conversation about #Syria on social media. They have denied or justified Assad’s atrocities, and spread lurid conspiracy theories.
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But now, thanks to the work of @chloehadj, @bellingcat and others, the tide is at last turning. There’s a palpable sense of panic among those who now find themselves exposed as atrocity deniers. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08xs4st
I’m sorry to say that, until recently, the left had failed dismally on this issue. Very few of us called out the lies and stood in solidarity with the Syrian people, as they've been murdered en masse and oppressed by the world’s bloodiest dictator. That's now changing
It was horribly reminiscent of the failures last century to speak out against the Holodomor (Stalin’s campaign of mass murder). It’s easy to forget how the few leftists who did so were demonised and ostracised, and accused of being Western imperialists.
The same things were said about those who oppose Assad’s bombing, chemical weapons attacks, imprisonment and torture. Apparently, WE are the “warmongers”. If we denounce his atrocities, we must be in favour of Western military intervention. Even, er, when we explicitly oppose it.
Propaganda is a crucial weapon of war. Those who have whitewashed Assad’s crimes have blood on their hands. Among them are some eminent figures. Their involvement in this issue and their alliance with the far right should be a source of lasting shame. https://www.monbiot.com/2017/11/18/toxic-atmosphere/
When you speak out in defence of human rights, you will find yourself constantly challenged to "debate" the conspiracy theories put forward by Assad's apologists. It's an old trick, often used by Holocaust deniers. By debating falsehoods, you give weight to them. Don't succumb.
The war in #Syria is the best-documented in human history. There is a mountain of video and testimonial evidence of Assad’s atrocities. The "doubt" about them is entirely manufactured.
Just like the Holocaust deniers and the climate science deniers, those who deny Assad’s atrocities latch onto tiny, misrepresented details and pursue them obsessively, while ignoring the vast weight of evidence that reveals the whole picture.
The propagandists have created a complete alternative reality. Though Assad and Putin’s forces are responsible for well over 90% of the deaths, they are cast as the innocent parties. Conspiracy theories are used to deny the very existence of their victims.
It should be a source of grave public concern that two of the leading conspiracy theorists are professors at @EdinburghUni: @Tim_Hayward_ and Paul McKeigue. Neither have expertise on Syria. This programme features and debunks one of McKeigue's claims: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p08xs7y2
. @Tim_Hayward_ is a serial conspiracy theorist, as you can see from his Twitter feed. He spreads dangerous misinformation about a number of topics. God knows what his students make of it. Are university professors not supposed to uphold certain evidential standards?
When you challenge the denial of atrocities in Syria, you are widely accused of being in the pay of someone, working for MI5, Mossad etc etc.
Yeah - because why else would anyone oppose mass murder, torture and other crimes against humanity?
Yeah - because why else would anyone oppose mass murder, torture and other crimes against humanity?
Oh, and by the way, don't even bother. https://twitter.com/georgemonbiot/status/1310926172541390853
