In this age of revolution, uprising, and radical defiance, countries that don’t offer their citizens basic civil rights are being challenged in drastic ways. More and more, we are seeing that in order to achieve social change, conflict and violence are frequently used to achieve it – as is the current case in Syria.

After a recent surge in oppression and violence toward dissidents from their president Bashar al-Assad, 33 Syrian soldiers, including one general and two colonials, defected across the border to Turkey.

As more than 33,000 Syrian civilians have fled the country to escape dangerous and violent conditions, military defections have become more frequent, and should be publicized and celebrated for essentially speaking out against their country’s wrongdoings.

The same can be said about the hostile climate in LRA-affected areas. Abducted child soldiers who are now generals and high-ranking officials within the LRA are being encouraged (via defection fliers) to surrender to the UPDF, after which they will be returned safely to their families and communities. By defecting and surrendering to a less oppressive regime, soldiers can set the precedent for their government and their fellow citizens to move forward with peace rather than violence and brutality.

(Photo credit: CNN)

– Sammi