Apr 21 2009
Follow up to Durban II
As expected, Durban II was a disaster, much to the chagrin of Navi Pillay, the present High Commissioner for Human Rights. She had tried so hard to make the second world conference on Racism respectable, but without the presence of the United States, Canada, New Zealand, as well as a handful of other western countries, Durban II never had much hope, and racism remains a world taboo. No one wants to discuss it. Why? Just because of Ahmedinejad?
23 EU representatives walked out of the conference once the Iranian President began speaking. Just like at the first conference in South Africa in 2001, he called out Israel for being an ‘oppressive Zionist regime’. This is the cited reason that the entire western conglomerate of nations either boycotted or bailed out on Durban II. But what about the rest of Ahmedinejad’s speech? He didn’t only talk about Israel, but the United States as well, even Europe. He flat out accused the US of being ruled by the war machine and energy interests. Pointed out the Iraqi and Afghanistan death toll as well as financial toll for the US led invasions, and poised the question of how much blame does the self-ascribed superpower deserve in the state of world affairs today. For talking about theses issues, Ahmedinejad is considered a complete nutjob. Is he? Is he really being that extreme? Why not read some of his speech and make your own assessment instead of writing off valid questions.
Some say the Iranian President was just making a political move, trying to end any possibility of forming positive relations with President Obama to squeeze out his more moderate political opposition. Perhaps. But motives and passions aside, these are issues that need to be talked about. Navi Pillay would have been more than happy to have any other world leader speak at Durban II, or even a high-ranking official from any western nation. They could have overshadowed Tehran’s words if they wanted to. So what really is the reason for avoiding a discussion we need to face if we as the human race are ever going to evolve? There is hate in this world, and the only way we are going to squash it, is to face it. Everyone knew what was going to happen at Durban II, because it happened at Durban I. So instead of complaining about it, send it in a positive direction.
You are so right. The world has to face the hate and talk through it, not shoot through it. The West will win any shooting war, but at what tremendous cost?
I’m struggling with the idea that Durban II was a disaster. Or that somehow if the leading racist would have showed up then it would have been more of a success… It’s little surprise that Ahmedinejad is being used as the whipping boy. He calls Israel the racist country that the world knows they are. The US and Israel can not stand idly by while some tin pot ruler of Iran is calling them on their bullshit. Now I’m not saying that Ahmedinejad is any kind of saint or that he has any moral high ground, but he is calling “a spade a mutha fukn spade” in the face of global consternation over his presence. I think those who refused to attend should be ashamed. They didn’t show up because they didn’t want to get called on their BS, the Ahmedinejad angle is a convenient out for “leaders” who lack the courage to face accusations that make them look bad. Israel does have a racist government and racist policies. So I don’t see how having them boycott the conference does anything to undermine the conference. Rather it undermines Israel’s credibility. The USA and a host of other nations that didn’t have the nads to sit down and discuss the realities of racism, those “leaders” have shown moral cowardice. Durban II attendees did what they came for, they discussed racism and the pain it causes millions of people around the world.