US News
US to boycott UN conference on racism
Feb 28, 2009, 14:25 GMT
Washington - The United States will boycott a UN conference on racism over concerns about a document being prepared for the event that singles out Israel.
US representatives had travelled to Geneva to provide input on the document to replace an earlier controversial draft written in 2001 at a conference in Durban, South Africa. But the US representatives had not been able to overcome objections about Israel being targeted, as well as efforts to restrict freedom of speech by banning 'defamation of religion.'
'The document being negotiated has gone from bad to worse, and the current text of the draft outcome document is not salvageable,' State Department Acting Spokesman Robert Wood said in a statement released late Friday.
'As a result, the United States will not engage in further negotiations on this text, nor will we participate in a conference based on this text. A conference based on this text would be a missed opportunity to speak clearly about the persistent problem of racism.'
He said the US believes a document could still be reached at a conference set for April in Geneva if the draft does not single out any one country or conflict and does not include language to halt criticism of religious groups that would hamper free speech.
Israel and Canada have also said they will boycott the conference.
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Older Talkback
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... and obviously Israel is a racist society, that is a no brainer.
It is bizarre how the U.S. does not want speech to be censured, but wants speech to be censured.
i.e.: It likes its own speech, but not opposing speech.
Sheer and utter hypocrisy.
time to drop a Joseph bomb followed by the Mary bomb.
'enable priests to rape children in silence'
This is the way it should be. I don't want to hear anything out of a priests mouth.
Well said, Carl!
Dear lance,
I think, if you read the article, you will see that the US is objecting both to the targeting of Israel and to restrictions on free speech. Does it not occur to you that the singling out of one people, in this case the Israelis, in a conference on racism might itself be construed as having racist connotations?
As for muslims 'igniting' themselves, I am of the opinion that only a very, very small number of them choose to exit this world in that way. Whilst this is to be regretted I suppose their choice must be respected; so long as no one else is made to suffer in the process. Muslims of this type immolating themselves quietly in private are no concern of mine. Even if a, shall we say very meticulous muslim were to pile several hundred pounds of high explosives in some out of the way place, post up suitable warning notices and attempt to project some of his disjecta membra into orbit I would remain essentially unmoved.
When, however, one or more of them decides to shuffle off this mortal coil in the company of several tens, hundreds or even thousands of innocent third parties who may not be ready to leave but are given no choice in the matter, then I do object.
As to your remark about Catholic Priests, I would surmise that only a disappearingly small minority have ever behaved in the fashion that you outline. This too is to be regretted and is, or should be of concern to all. Yet I cannot but feel that you raise the subject in order to try to validate, in some way the actions of the aforementioned muslims.
Not only is this a non sequitur but the analogy is faulty per se. Catholic Priests who behave in that manner are violating the most sacred tenets of their faith and office, and are aware of that fact. Islamist terrorists believe, alas, that they are fulfilling theirs.
May I respectfully suggest that you are making this elementary error because you are a blinkered, sanctimonious, hypocritical, posing arse!
PS: If you have trouble with any of the big words I've used please feel free to consult a dictionary. In your case I would recommend that you start with 'The Cat in The Hat.'
I'm speechless. After this drink I will pray to my procelain god. Yeah I'm drunk again.
You, sir, are a crafstman with words. Well thought, well reasoned, extremely well written. Kudos.
An appropriate receptacle for your toxic outpourings indeed!
That last post was directed, of course, at poor confused lance
Racism exists all over the world. It exists in the people you pass by every day. The only way this conference will have any success is to ban any racists from participating. As of right now, boycotting this conference is every countries responsibility.
The Durban conference on racism happen so long ago 2001 - no one remembers the ins and outs of it -
- Here's the problem the OIC or Organization of Islamic Countries - the biggest voting block in the UN - 57 states - wish to restrict freedom of speech around Islam -
if they have their way - the only things you will legally be able to say about Islam - would be good things - and even then - you might get confused - so they will present the things which you are allowed to say about the religion -
You were joking about Catholic preachers - a moment ago - if this law comes into effect - you could for instance not joke about Islam - you could not say that - a Muslim person blew themselves up in the name of Islam - even though they said Allah Akbar (Allah/God is Great) - before they pulled the string - or before they beheaded a hostage on film.
Okay! Got it!
In the Islamic world - Islamic leaders tightly control what can be said or written - anywhere (you could get arrested for blogging) - now it is their aim to bring the world under this same control.
It goes even further -
Because you are not allowed to criticize Islam - all the things that come under it like the Shari'a - you know the law where women are worth half a man - or where the honor killing - which is legal (or virtually) in most Muslim nations - where people are not allowed to leave the religion - in Iran and Saudi Arabia you'll be killed, in Egypt and Malaysia you'll be locked up -
and because these things are under Shari'a law and therefore Islam - that can't be criticized - no one can raise these issues - in the UN Human Rights Council and if they have their way - nowhere
-
But at the same time Muslim nations are free to talk about the big problem of Islamophobia in the west - where incidentally Muslims can worship freely - unlike the Christians in their own countries -
-
Then - while no one can single any one of the Islamic governments out - as they are protected - by Islam - these same countries wish to single out Israel - here's why they are being turned down -
-
Human rights in the Arab world for the most part is a joke - and so is the idea of racism - coming from these governments -
The US doesn't want to play along - with their global conquest ~ through the UN!!
as if people confuse Islam with the leaders and their deeds. Islam is indeed a religion of peace, as is christianity. It is the politicals who use religion to further their goals. The vast majority of followers of both religions want nothing more than security of person and a safe place to live their lives and raise their children. It is those who seek power or try to maintain their power who distort the teachings to their own politcal view and advantage, who should be taken out and shot. There are fanatics, zealots, on both sides. You cannot tar all with the brush that should be applied to a few. Politics and religion are two realms that do not mix well. Take an honest, unbiased look at the world and then try and tell me that I am wrong.
YOUR WRONG!!!
..because when I think of nations at the forefront of racial progress, Libya and Cuba instantly come to mind...
'YOUR WRONG!!!'
You can't even spell. You couldn't take an honest look at anything, let alone have a qualified opinion.
Here he is, the site's racist pig, trying to opine on an article about racism. Oink, oink, snort, oink, says SP.
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lanceFeb 28th, 2009 - 15:06:01
'restrict freedom of speech by banning 'defamation of religion.''
Muslims ignite themselves with bombs.
Catholic Priests rape innocent little children.
No amount of censorship will change the history of these religions.
All censorship does is enable priests to rape children in silence and muslims to ignite without being contained.
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