Comments by David G. Littman: NGO Representative to the UN – Geneva: Association for World Education / World Union for Progressive Judaism
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Having already posted a text on the usual “Palestine and other occupied Arab territories” here, and another on the Syrian Blood-Libel renewal – also item 9 (“Silence that Dreadful Bell”) here, we are now making available our last 2 statements delivered under item 8 (‘violence against women’) & item 10 (Haiti & Israel’s humanitarian aid).
It is necessary to repeat ad nauseam the taboo Sharia-Shafi’i ‘connection’ to FGM in certain countries, such as Egypt (96%) and northern Sudan (90%) – a total of half (29) OIC countries; and other traditional-religious types of ‘violence’ against women, including stoning, ‘honor-killing’ and 9 year old girl marriages, thereby shaming those who still refuse to admit reality.
As we had not planned to speak under item 10, that statement was delivered impromptu – the last NGO speaker under the last item on the agenda – with a few notes and facts. It was striking that, once again, even on the question of humanitarian aid to Haiti, Israel’s rapid “Operation Blessing” contribution went unmentioned, although it was unique in many humane respects. Our ‘suggestion’ would be a good ‘start’ for world humanitarian peace activists to envisage.
At this 14th session, we were not interrupted by a ‘point of order on any oral statement. This shows that NGOs must remain firm as we wrote over a decade ago – especially now as the pressure grows. Below is the 1st paragraph and the conclusion of our article: “Islamism Grows Stronger at the United Nations.” (Middle East Quarterly 6, N° 3, Sept. 1999, 59-64.)
In recent years, representatives of some Muslim states have demanded, and often received, special treatment at the United Nations mostly via the Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR). As a result, non-diplomatic terms such as “blasphemy” and “defamation of Islam” have seeped into the United Nations system, leading to a situation in which non-Muslim governments accept certain rules of conduct in conformity with Islamic law (the Shari`a) and acquiesce to a self-imposed silence regarding issues touching on Islam. This pattern of behavior has emerged with regard to a host of issues – Salman Rushdie, Muslim antisemitism, Islamic alternatives to the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights (UDHR), a “defamation of Islam” resolution, and the actions of the Sudanese government.Conclusion
The new rules of conduct being imposed by the OIC, and acceded to by other states, give those who claim to represent Islam an exceptional status at the United Nations that has no legal basis and no precedent; it therefore gives ample reason for apprehension. Will a prohibition of discussion about certain political aspects of Islam become generally accepted at the United Nations and beyond, contradicting “the right to freedom of opinion and expression”, promised by Article XIX of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? Unless farsighted states, both Muslim and non-Muslim, make it their business to assert and reassert the need for freedom of speech, this precious liberty is at risk of being eroded throughout the system of international organizations.
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ASSOCIATION FOR WORLD EDUCATION
WORLD UNION FOR PROGRESSIVE JUDAISM
UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL – 14th session (31 May – 18 June 2010)
President: Ambassador Alex Van Meeuwen (Belgium) – 32nd Plenary Meeting
Statement by Representative David G. LITTMAN – Tuesday (@5:00), 15 June 2010
Follow-up to and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action:
Integrating the human rights of women throughout the United Nations system (item 8)
[Words in brackets not spoken in 2 minutes – unable to complete George Washington quotation]
It is exactly two years [8th session – 16/6/2008] since the ‘Sharia-gate Shipwreck’ took place at the Council on this very item concerning the follow-up to the DPA re: ‘violence against women’. [Then we spoke for AWE & IHEU – today for AWE & WUPJ]. A reminder of that ‘Affair’ may well permit a better understanding of a major taboo subject which, if not constantly challenged here, will lead us all along that slippery self-censorship path that began with the [19 April] 1997 Commission ‘Blasphemy Affair’. We have analysed it at great length in several articles.
On 16 June 2008 we were stopped on a ‘point of order’ by a State Member after 22 seconds, to be followed by 24 more points during a 90 minute ‘show’ that still fascinates bloggers worldwide. Fortunately, the Council president, Canada and the EU came to the rescue – and Germany also after Egypt’s delegate defamed Christianity by stating: “Islam will not be crucified at this Council.”
We began by stating: [“In the context of integrating the human rights of women throughout the United Nations System, we wish to draw attention to four examples of widespread ‘violence against women’ that we believe merit far greater attention from the Council.”]
Regarding FGM, our detailed written statement [1st interruption by Egyptian delegate Amr Roshdy Hassan occurred here; 2 dozen more, including a 40 minute and a 2nd 5 minute recess for the president to discuss with the OIC] [E/CN.4/Sub.2/2005/NGO/27: Background on “Traditional or Customary Practices” /Female Genital Mutilation and the Arabic text (and translations), certified by Al-Azhar University, authoritative source for Shafi’i school of Sunni law widely adhered to in Egypt] discusses the reasons why 96% of Egyptian women are still subjected to FGM despite State legislation in 1997 outlawing the practice. [(Sara Corbett, “A Cutting Tradition”, New York Times, Sunday Magazine, 20 January 2008). “Almost 90% of the female population in the north of Sudan undergo FGM which, in many cases, is practised in its most extreme form known as infibulation” – we are quoting from the 2004 Report of Special Rapporteur Halima Warzazi (E/CN.4/Sub.2/2004/41, §24)]. UNICEF figures indicate that over 3 million young girls are mutilated each year in 32 countries, 29 of which are Member States of the OIC. [We believe that only a fatwa from Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh Sayyad Tantawi – replacing the ambiguous fatwas of 1949, 1951 and 1981 – will change this barbaric, criminal practice, which is now growing even in Europe.”]
We then raised the subject of “honour killings” which are on the increase worldwide [and the stoning of women for alleged adultery, still current in Iran, Sudan and several other OIC countries – in Iran they are buried up to their waists in pits and blunt stones are used, thereby increasing their agony in death – articles 100, 102 and 104 of the Iranian Criminal Codes confirm this ghastly barbarism.] The marriage of girls 9 years old was denounced, with reference to Noble Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi’s denunciation of Iran’s law by which a girl is considered an adult and liable to punishment, even execution at 9, and a boy of 15. She rejects the concept of cultural relativism. Such crimes and reasons for them should not be treated as taboo subjects here. It is time for more and more States and NGOs to speak out despite any politically or religiously-correct arguments which have no place in this Human Rights Chamber – referred to by some as the “conscience of humanity”. To conclude, Mr. Chairman, ….. it is taken from George Washington [when 16 years old], future President, which he copied from the Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour… : It is well worth remembering today:
“Labour to keep alive in your breast [**] that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.”
Sir, let us all say – Amen.
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** Chairman, gavelling the speaker & cutting him off (2 min. 21 sec.): “I am sorry to interrupt – your time is up.”
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WORLD UNION FOR PROGRESSIVE JUDAISM
ASSOCIATION FOR WORLD EDUCATION
UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL – 14th session (31 May – 18 June 2010)
Vice-Chairman: (Slovenia) – 33nd Plenary Meeting
Statement by Representative David G. LITTMAN – Tuesday (@5:45), 15 June 2010
Technical assistance & capacity-building: Situation of human rights in Haiti (item 10)
The Haiti tragedy: What was done and what should now be done ‘together’
[Last Statement under item 10; UN webcast impromptu text – with comments in square brackets: 2 min. 17 sec.]
As the representative of the World Union for Progressive Judaism and the Association of World Education, representing over two million persons worldwide, we wish to make an observance and a recommendation concerning the great tragedy in Haiti.
Allow me, however, to remind delegates of that pertinent and memorable saying by the Greek philosopher Anaximander 2500 years ago: Nothing Comes from Nothing!
As we have had occasion to reiterate in another context, words are one thing – and they flow here, and elsewhere, like the Mississippi – but facts and reality is something else. We regret that – perhaps for reasons of modesty, or otherwise – the State of Israel has not taken the floor on the Haiti tragedy, although it was a massive Israeli delegation that arrived – 236 members – the first on that 15th of January [2010], on a Friday night – to do what could be done under what was called:
“Operation Blessing”: 319 successful surgeries; 16 births; 3 Caesareans and 4 rescues – one of the most effective humanitarian operations. [* See Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs website]
[According to Israel’s FM website; of the 236 member delegation, 218 were soldiers and officers and 18 were civilians; a 5 year old child was brought to Israel for treatment, successfully.]
Many States with massive funds provided us with words in many domains, but when it came to Haiti – and not just Haiti – they were “absent”, as we say here [at the Human Rights Council].
Now is the time for a real ‘Dialogue of Civilizations’ – in this Room of the Alliance of Civilizations. Why not have countries like Israel, among the most advanced, top medical capacities in the world – and in other scientific fields – join hands with those with all that money but not the capacities to use that money in such a way. And that might lead to a dialogue that would eventually allow all to understand the ‘other’ – especially in Haiti.
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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