Durban wrap up from Wendy Kahn

Here's the final piece from the Geneva Durban Review Conference from the National Director of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies, Wendy Kahn. Wendy sent this through last week Thursday, but I've unfortunately not found the time to publish it until now.

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Good morning South Africa.

Today is my last day at the conference and it certainly appears that the conference is starting to wind down. I must start with a fabulous quote that is doing the rounds here, "Giving the Holocaust denying Ahmadinejad the platform to lecture the world about racism is like inviting Bernie Madoff to headline a global conference on business ethics".

The conference document was formally adopted on Tuesday and yesterday saw submissions by all the countries present. They are running late however and the last 13 countries will provide their comments this morning.

Governmental submissions

The speeches contained a long string of condemnations of Ahmadinejad's offensive introductory speech, mainly coming from Argentina, Ukraine, the UK, France, Sweden and Spain, while Austria, Lithuania and the Holy See also heavily criticised.

The last country to present their submission yesterday was Iran, who surprise surprise was quite unrepentant for their Monday onslaught! They heavily criticised Norway and other countries that had criticised Ahmadinejad's speech calling for `freedom of expression as a human right' and called for countries to cease from making `judgemental remarks'. Iran also took exception to the Secretary General of the United Nation's critical remarks about the speech. They will be exercising their right of reply - not sure when that will be.

NGO session with High Commissioner

Yesterday I attended a question and answer session with the High Commissioner, Navi Pillay. A few interesting points came out of this:

1. There were no overtly anti-Israel questions (I believe this would have been very different in 2001).
2. A representative from a French African NGO asked a lengthily question (more like a mini speech) in which he condemned pro-Palestinian groups for hijacking the conference and detracting from the voices of the real victims.
3. One of our Caucus asked a question on what lessons were learned from the Ahmadinejad speech on Monday to which the High Commissioner responded "if governments leave the process they are not present to respond".

Sitting opposite us at the session (and doing exceptional networking at the conference) were a trio of Neturei Karta folk with their Palestinian flag badges - due to UN regulations, they had to leave their trademark sandwich boards at home.

NGO submissions in the Plenary

Following extensive debates and serious confusion, approximately 150 NGO's will be making 2 minute submissions in the plenary today.

Again with thanks to our SA delegation, we were able to assist the Caucus in unravelling some of the confusion around this matter and approximately 4 Jewish NGO's will be making submissions, one of which will use their slot on behalf of the International Jewish Coalition, which will be presented by the co-Chair of the Jewish Human Rights Coalition (UK) Rosalind Preston.

Was the Durban Review like Durban 1?

When drafting our International Jewish Coalition statement we included the comment, "The World Conference Against Racism in 2001 is remembered for the antisemitism on the streets of Durban. The Durban Review in Geneva will be remembered for the antisemitism within the Assembly hall of the UN, as clearly spelt out by Iran's President."

It must be noted however that this speech was followed by unequivocal condemnation by many countries, by the Secretary General of the UN and the HRC High Commissioner.

None of the violent and overt antisemitism as seen in Durban in 2001 was evident here in Geneva.

The event was monitored closely by the authorities who showed a zero tolerance for any unruly behaviour or violation of rules.

The anti-Israel or pro Iran rallies were dismally attended and were certainly in no way reminiscent of 2001.

Thought I'd share the comments of Ronald Eissens from the Dutch Magenta Foundation, who made the following comparison:

"People ask us all the time if this conference is like Durban. No, it's not. It is absolutely incomparable. Foremost size-wise. Only 314 accredited NGOs here with 1073 NGO delegates, which is nothing like Durban, but also atmosphere-wise. It is mostly a well-behaved affair with only a few incidents. Stickers and some flyers were confiscated by the UN Police. A small number of side-events were cancelled because of content not in line with the DDPA and/or abuse language. A few NGO delegates and one journalist had their accreditation revoked. Kudos to the UN people at the Palais the Nations for doing a great job, special kudos to the UN Police and security forces for keeping everybody on the straight and narrow and handling it all with utmost care and friendliness.

International Jewish Coalition

International Jewry was far better prepared for this conference. Preparation had started early last year and it could be clearly seen how more effective the responses were.

The coalition provided a coordinated front at the Conference. It was wonderful to see Jewish NGO's putting aside their egos and turf issues to work together for the common good.

Our caucus office (situated in the WJC suites near the UN) was a constant buzz of activity, run in a professional and efficient way.

The Geneva community also arranged a fully equipped Welcome Centre for us at the entrance to the UN, where we had our caucus briefings and we could buy kosher sandwiches and salads. The community welcomed us with a smile and warm hospitality.

This afternoon I leave Geneva to return home, feeling gratified that International Jewry played a significant role in preventing a repeat of 2001.

Regards

WENDY

Comments

[The Blacklisted Dictator]

I am unconvinced that it was wise for the SAJBD and other Jewish NGO's to attend Durban 2. In my humble opinion, the event should have been boycotted by these organizations.

I believe that it would have been much better if those who opposed Durban 2 had simultaneously set up their own anti-racism conference in Toronto (it should have been organized in association with the Canadian govt which led the boycott of the UNHRC's anti-racism conference in Geneva.)

[Mike]

Anthony,

They did hold an alternative conference the day before Durban 2 began.

I think it is important that they were there. If they had not been Israel and the Jewish people would have had no voice. Without the lobbying efforts of the Jewish Caucus the Europeans would never of walked out.

[The Blacklisted Dictator]

Mike,
The Europeans should also have boycotted Durban 2. Why attend a conference and then walk out? It might have created "news" but there was no rational.

Moreover, it surprises me that there has been so little discussion re the wisdom of a Jewish "caucus" attending Durban 2.

I believe that attendance at the conference was a grave mistake and only served to give the proceedings unwarranted legitimacy.