US boycotting, Iran starring, at UN racism meeting

The U.N. opens its first global racism conference in eight years on Monday with at least six countries, including the United States, boycotting the event out of concern that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Islamic countries will demand a final statement that criticizes Israel and restricts free speech.

The administration of President Barack Obama, America's first black head of state, announced Saturday that it would boycott "with regret" the weeklong meeting in Geneva, which already is experiencing much of the bickering and political infighting that marred the 2001 conference in Durban, South Africa.


www.google.com...



[edit on 19-4-2009 by we_the_racist]


[edit: title to same as source]
Headline: Please use the original story headline from your source.

[edit on 19-4-2009 by 12m8keall2c]

Wows " The major sticking points regarding the proposed final U.N. declaration are its implied criticism of Israel and an attempt by Muslim governments to ban all criticism of Islam, Sharia law, the prophet Muhammad and other tenets of their faith -- a move that would limit free speech.

Some eerie historical dates coincide with the conference, which is supposed to examine the various manifestations of racism, intolerance, discrimination and xenophobia around the world. Tuesday marks this year's day for Holocaust remembrance, while Monday's opening of the conference falls on the birthday of Nazi Germany's leader Adolf Hitler."

www.google.com...

[edit on 19-4-2009 by we_the_racist]

Denying to hear someone speak over free speech, that's like a double negative isn't it?

If it is illegal to criticize Jesus and Moses, then it should be that way for Muslims too.

If it is not illegal to criticize other religions leaders, then these guys can go stick it where the sun don't shine!

[edit on 19-4-2009 by breakingdradles]

The boycott of the conference is due to not just Muslim countries, but including most of the world, demanding that zionism be recognised as racist last year. There is a possibility that this classification will be considered again.

The other sticking point is that incitement of religious hatred should be considered as a crime. The US, UK and Israel object to this even though there are anti blasphemy laws in the UK and criticisms of the Jewish religion some how transmutates into racism in the upside down world of hypocrisy.