We should learn from the Swiss on neutrality
THIS week, the president of Switzerland, Alain Berset, ruled out any involvement in sending weapons to Ukraine.
He said that Switzerland had a unique quality of neutrality, and that Switzerland’s role, as reflected in the Geneva Conventions, is so much more important than joining a parade of weapons providers.
‘Today, it is not time to change the rules against exporting weapons. Neither is it time to change the rules of neutrality. On the contrary, it is time to recall our basic principles, to stay committed to them and find a right path for the country in this situation,’ Mr Berset said.
Switzerland, he added, has ‘a different role from other states’.
Ireland should also have a different role from other states. In this most dangerous time for humanity, the Irish people and our Government should consider these words very carefully, and follow the example of Switzerland.
Those who denigrate Swiss and Irish neutrality ignore the benefits of positive neutrality for the citizens of these two countries and for humanity as a whole. There is no perfect version of neutrality, but war in this 21st century is madness.
The Swiss and Irish governments should be actively promoting peace in Ukraine and elsewhere. The alternative may well be that we are moving closer to World War Three and the likely use of nuclear weapons. EDWARD HORGAN, Castletroy, Limerick. ... ALL over Europe weapon trains are on the move. We are told that Putin and his henchmen can be sent packing back into Russia.
Will he go back to his people with nothing to show for the vast expense in lives and cost to his country? Or will he do what Hitler did in 1945 and use his last resources in a desperate hope to save his regime? Can Russia be humiliated without unleashing hell on Central Europe?
I sympathise with German chancellor Olaf Scholz: because of Germany’s proximity to the Russian border it would be one of the first nations to be attacked if Russia moves on Europe. The US is far from Russia and has the advantage of time. C ROBERTS, Rathmines, Dublin.
Listen to cries for help
‘SORRY but we cannot help your son unless he asks for treatment. We have to follow mental health guidelines and respect his rights,’ the mental nurse told me.
‘But why would he ask for help when he himself has stopped his treatment and he has lost all reason?’ I replied, but my pleading was to no avail.
The only advice I was given was that, if he is violent again, call the gardaí and put a lock on my bedroom door – not much comfort to an 80-year-old man.
How many more times will we hear of violent attacks such as in the recent case of Matthew Healy, who was a patient at Mercy University Hospital in Cork.
A judge has recommended that the 30-year-old man charged with the murder of Mr Healy receives proper mental health treatment while he is in custody.
Thankfully, in my case, a senior doctor took one look at my son and got him help.
He emerged from a mental health facility three weeks later, back on his treatment and as once again the loving, compassionate son that he really is.
Surely when a mentally ill person becomes a danger to himself and others then it is time to act – otherwise there will be more senseless murders and suicides that will continue to destroy families who have rights as well.
Fewer protocols and more common sense is required. NAME AND ADDRESS
WITHHELD.
A malign influence
THEY appeared from nothing, taking over our social media feeds, marching forward like mindless zombies – but much more attractive – with their advice on Bitcoin, which restaurants to be seen at, the best choice of nappies for newborns and, on rare occasions, a hashtag that admitted they were paid for their wisdom.
Why they were paid for their wisdom was puzzling as often someone else wrote their material and Bitcoin was, after all, a dubious investment? There was no Kryptonite to stop them as they rode over government bureaucrats and tax officials.
Influencers in Australia are going to be investigated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to make sure that they disclose they are being paid by the brands they are promoting, and that endorsements and testimonials are not misleading.
Not revealing that she was paid for a cryptocurrency promotion cost Kim Kardashian over $1million in fines, although her role as an influencer has made her very wealthy.
The Australian tax department has announced that influencers who make money from their posts are required to pay tax – yes, tax – like everyone else.
These two responsibilities – having to be honest and having to pay your dues – might send many of them out to look for real work, or it would if social media wasn’t their whole world.
It is a start. With a global effort social media can return to what it was designed for – photos of family and funny cat videos. DENNIS FITZGERALD, Melbourne, Australia.