The UN should do more to prevent further atrocities such as those committed against Rohingya Muslims

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This tragedy will not only haunt us but will remain etched in our collective consciousness (AFP/Getty)

I applaud The Independent for shedding light on the atrocious massacres perpetrated towards the Rohingya Muslim communities in Mynamar. Like Srebrenica before, this tragedy has once again symbolised a cruel squandering of material and human resources and offered a grotesque reminder of man's inhumanity to man.

This tragedy will not only haunt us but will remain etched in our collective consciousness. However, it is not enough for the UN to shed crocodile tears and offer “strong condemnation” every time a massacre has been committed.

In Syria, Yemen, Gaza and elsewhere people continue to languish in diseases, displacement, destitution, homelessness, female genital mutilation, joblessness, hopelessness, dispossession, hunger, injustices, prejudices, bigotries, racism, discrimination, Islamophobia and state-sponsored terrorism.

It is time for the UN to ruminate over the purpose of its own founding, address the root causes of conflicts and prevent systematic abuses from recurring in future and at present.

Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob
London NW2

Trump’s attitude towards McCain’s death shows how petty and childish he is

Like most baby boomers I have been to a number of funerals – of family and friends, work colleagues and students, young and old, good and bad. Buy the common theme is the eulogy remembering the best of the person and forgetting any failings.

It has been reported that, as is customary in such cases, the White House had prepared a statement praising John McCain, but President Trump refused it and sent out a brief tweet instead. This breaks a long tradition and is shameful.

The invitation of two presidents, Obama and Bush, to attend his funeral shows that McCain was able to work with all – well almost all – in the political world. The specific exclusion of the serving president is in itself unprecedented and a clear reflection of how poorly he was thought of.

The custom is to “never speak ill of the dead” although it should be updated to include “never tweet meaningless banalities”.

Fortunately there are and will be many that will speak well of John McCain.

Dennis Fitzgerald
Melbourne

We must remember why the left is always a preferable political option

The bank holiday weekend provides a great opportunity to clarify some basic political principles – especially given the confusion promoted by the Tories in their attempt to smear Jeremy Corbyn with antisemitism.

Right-wing politics are rooted in the poison of nationalism and racism. Left-wing politics are about internationalism, unity and equality.

Right-wing politics gave London the Notting Hill race riots. Left-wing politics responded by giving the world the Notting Hill carnival – the largest celebration of diversity on the planet.

Sasha Simic
London N16

If the Grand Prix tracks can’t handle a bit of rain, what are they doing in the UK?

If I was the owner of Silverstone I would be asking for a massive refund of the millions paid for the resurfacing of the track.

This is England. It rains a lot (recent months excepted!). This weekend's weather was nothing exceptional. To put down a track surface that not only is still bumpy but also fails to drain adequately is just incompetent.

Mike Margetts
Kilsby, Northamptonshire

Where are we supposed to go when Brexit ruins this country?

Last year Nigel Farage vowed to leave the UK if Brexit turned out to be a disaster. That option will not be available to most of his fellow citizens – unless of course he persuades his friend President Trump to admit 65 million immigrants from the UK.

David Ward
Wigton, Cumbria

Mental illness must stop being a punchline

Thank you Hattie Gladwell for your article I was diagnosed with OCD and it’s much darker than a simple cleaning disorder. It is high time OCD is recognised as a serious mental health issue and not a sitcom joke.

Chris Davey
Redruth, Cornwall