Free speech is under fire everywhere these days, and not surprisingly, that goes for the UN as well. At the UN in Geneva, at a meeting of an Intergovernmental Working Group on the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, David G. Littman, a representative of the Association for World Education, was prevented by the Chairman, Ambassador Juan Martabit of Chile, from mentioning Sudan and Iran in connection with human rights abuses. Said Martabit: "I’m going to be very blunt with you, and with everyone -– if we’re going to get into a country situation debate here at this Working Group, we will not make any progress."
What kind of progress Martabit hopes to make by covering up for these countries is unclear.
From the verbatim transcript, courtesy the International Humanist and Ethical Union:
Chairman:Mr. Littman, I think again your points are related specifically to countries where you may [incoherent words by interpretor], that you have every right to consider that there are problems of human rights, but please do not cite those countries in this room. I’m going to be as frank as possible because we’re not going to get anywhere. The delegate of Iran is making a ‘point of order.’ She is right because she is going to respond, then you are going to respond and we’re not going to get anywhere. Mr. Littman, listen to me, and all delegates. I’m here to contribute in my humble way, with my time and my competence, to build bridges, to deal with extremely complex issues. I don’t think that anyone…everyone has the right to deal with problems, but please do not cite specific countries. You have mentioned Professor Doudou Diène and I will ask Doudou Diène to respond to the questions you have raised. Your problems with Sudan and Iran please raise them in a different meeting, not here. I’m going to be very blunt with you, and with everyone – if we’re going to get into a country situation debate here at this Working Group, we will not make any progress. This doesn’t mean that I am excluding or turning a blind eye to the problems that exist in different countries. If you have any positive examples to cite, you could mention those, but please do not create an atmosphere that would create tension and which will send us into a deadlock. I hope that you’ve finished Mr. Littman. Thank you very much. I will like to ask Prof. Doudou Diène…
Mr. Littman (microphone button not pressed, but his voice is just audible on the tape):
You have cut me, Sir. I am taking part in a debate next month in Holland regarding what is happening at the United Nations. To be stopped on such an issue, when I have not yet begun, is such that – after 20 years experience at the UN – I find incredible! Sir, if you allow me to continue, I shall be careful not to name another State.
Chairman:
OK, continue, please, but please don’t mention any crucial issues of the international agenda of today by the name of the country. Continue, please.
Maybe it's time for some brave young warriors:
Every time one of our soldiers dies, or indeed, any one in the world is butchered in the name of islam, a Koran is publically burned and an effigy of Mohammad is burned.
Please don’t mention any crucial issues of the international agenda of today by the name of the country
Just sit next to the representative of the country you have problems with, and wear an "I'm With Stupid" t-shirt. Or hold up signs a la the pictorial Looney Tunes "screwball" sign.
Make faces at one another if you must. Just don't mention issues or countries by name. It's not mature.
UNbabble. Bolton was wrong, the whole UN building, not the top floors, should be razed to the ground and the organization dismantled. It has been a corrupt, islamist infiltrated enemy of democracy. We fund this inept bureaucracy. What a waste of money.
John is right that we need to get of the UN. Eliminate the UN, for the sake of peace!!!
It is time for the UN to be removed before the nations of islam dominate it and then move control the internet and our freedom of speech. Bolton is the best ambassador for at least some control of the activities in that place. Any wonder the democrats and the left tried to stop his appointment. When is President Bush going to authorize a debate of the koran or make moves to put islam on trial. Any nation that declares war on another nation should be placed under the microscope.
David Littman who is mentioned in this post, wrote an article several years ago in Midstream magazine about the "islamic declaration of human rights," which, as you may imagine, contradicts the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Maybe this could be a handle for a campaign against the UN and its domination by Islamaniacs. That is, demand that all UN member states accept the original UDR, and if the Muslim states insist on their own separate declaration, then they have to leave the UN.