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Report back from the Durban Review Conference
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UN Photo/Pierre Virot
Upon confirmation from the Obama administration that the United States would continue its boycott of the Durban Review Conference, the U.S. media has remained largely silent about the conference which occurred April 20-24, 2009. Murmurs of the conference only emerged when the President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, used his speech as a platform to attack Zionism and the military force Israel exerts in the Middle East. His comments, causing an international stir, caused great division amongst the delegates; many of whom walked out during his speech.
Being that the mainstream media's portrayal of the conference was colored heavily on President Ahmadinejad's comments the DC Progressive Examiner interviewed Joshua Lopez who attended the conference and witnessed the events unfold first hand. Mr. Lopez is a native of Washington, DC, and a graduating senior at the University of the District of Columbia majoring in History.
Q: Have you been supportive of the president? What have been your reactions to his policies/decision-making thus far?
A: Having dialogue and conferences that create a safe environment to address racism, discrimination and xenophobia are needed more often. The original purpose of this conference was to to address these issues on a global scale with the participation of governments and non-governmental organizations (NGO). Whenever you can bring nations from around the world to talk about these issues it is a great thing.
A: I was disappointed by President Obama's decision to boycott the Durban Conference.
A: As an American citizen it is important to participate in these type of events. The conference offered an opportunity to speak about racism in America to a global audience. Racism is still alive in this country.
A: No, the conference was dominated by individuals who had strong disagreements with members of the Arab community and their approach to Israel. This created a huge distraction from the original intent of the conference.
A: I find it ironic that a person faces such a massive backlash from the western community for saying words that go against Israel but these same people remain silent when Israel launches attacks on the Palestinian community resulting in the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians.
A: I was not surprised. It was made clear that Israel and supporters of Israel have a big influence in the United Nations.
A: To address racism and solutions to erasing racism and any form of discrimination.
A: No, the final resolution was watered down and many delegates and NGOs did not have an opportunity to review the document before it was voted on.
A: Some nations are committed but everyone knows that if you address structural racism it becomes a topic of wealth and class. Right now leaders of nations with a history of racism do not see it in their interest to solve this problem.
A: Yes, but it requires a change from the current system... which is called White Supremacy.
The United Nations sites in its basic facts about the Durban Review Conference, "Lack of participation in the review conference would risk doing some of the progress made in the original DDPA [Durban Declaration and Programme of Action]; it would send a message to victims of racial and related segregation, as well as to those who perpetuate racism, that the issue was no longer prominent on the international agenda.
However, it appears from Mr. Lopez's assessment that the conference was largely symbolic and ceremonious, failing to identify, dialogue, and enforce models and practices for real and effective change that would undue the structure of global racism, class privilege, and white supremacy. Instead of pointing the finger at those countries that have chosen not to participate, perhaps the United Nations and the participants of the conference should first examine themselves. Once each nation, each organization, and each person can realize how he/she/they contribute to reinforcing the racism; perhaps then we can truly create this post-racial society that everyone seems to be talking about.
