Geldof is right on Freedom protest

■ The quote “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing”, and its many variations, is a sentiment that has been voiced by many, including Edmund Burke and Albert Einstein.

Bob Geldof’s protest gesture in returning his scroll for the Freedom of the City of Dublin – he did not want to be on the same list as Aung San Suu Kyi – is, I presume, his way of attempting to put some pressure on Dublin Council to remove her name. It is also motivated by his wanting to draw attention to the atrocities (including mass rape and the murder of men, women, children and babies) reportedly being committed against the Rohingya people in Myanmar.

However, only time will show – and not a trial by media nor reports produced by biased UN bodies – whether it will be objectively determined that Suu Kyi can or cannot be held accountable for any or all of these atrocities. Any rush to judgment on her presumed guilt is neither wise nor just.

Nevertheless, Bob Geldof should be fully supported in his effort to “do something” to bring the ongoing horrific suffering of the Rohingya people into the media spotlight. Perhaps some of his fellow recipients of the Freedom of Dublin will consider following his example in order to keep this issue being highlighted in the media.

Ivor Shorts Dublin 16