The Limits of Internationalism

In reaction to the busted unilateralism of the Bush Administration, internationalism is again in vogue. Watch out, lest you get what you are praying for. For a reminder of what the United Nations, the premier international body, is often like, see its recent treatment of hate speech.

The UN Human Rights Council just condemned in no uncertain terms a movie made by Dutch right-winger, Geert Wilders, in which he malignes Islam. The Dutch Government did all it could to prevent the release of the film. No Dutch or—any other—TV would broadcast it. (Which, by the way, raises some serious free speech issues). Finally it was posted on a UK-based website liveleak.com.  In reaction, the UN Human Rights Council issued a resolution deploring the use of the media to “incite acts of violence, xenophobia or related intolerance and discrimination towards Islam” or other religions.

Meanwhile, the Hamas-run television station, Al Aksa, continues its uninterrupted broadcasts to the people of Gaza.  This network’s programming frequently extols suicide bombers and rocket launching teams, promotes a virulent brand of anti-Semitism, and regularly calls for the destruction of the state of Israel.  Even children’s programs on this network  promote hatred of Jewish people. These include repeating that Jews use the blood of others for celebrating their rituals and that they are the ones who blew up the World Trade Center.

Note that unlike the Dutch film, made by one individual and his staff, here reference is to the organized effort by a whole movement and the government of Gaza, to programs that are regularly beamed to many hundred thousands of children and teenagers. But still, the Human Rights Council does not find anything here of concern.

Now let me first to say that the Palestinian people have much to be troubled by, and that the situation in Gaza in ghastly. However, none of these concerns—which should be addressed post haste—will be served if Hamas continues to demand to destruction of Israel, and teach its youngsters and followers to blindly hate Jews.

I myself pointed to the rising importance of the United Nations as a major force in determining that which the international community considers legitimate. The UN did play an important role in sorting out when an invasion of a country (like Kuwait) is legitimate, and when it is not (like Saddam’s Iraq). Its social services agencies often help people across the world.

However, if the UN is to become an ever more important part of a new global architecture, it must become more incensed about acts of violence and less about free speech (which is often offensive) and above all, much more even-handed. Hate mongering of Jews is no better than that of Muslims.

Comments

[KJ]

Great, but there is one thing. The Dutch TV networks didn't refuse Wilders' movie because of it was too offensive, but because Wilders had too much demands. TV networks have a policy that they want to see things first before they broadcast it. Wilders didn't want to show it to them. They had to broadcast it, while they wouldn't know what they were broadcasting. Even the Dutch Islamic Broadcasting Organisation wanted to show the movie, but Wilders refused.

Anyway, this still makes your point about the hypocrisy of the UN true.

KJ, the Netherlands

[KJ]

Great, but there is one thing. The Dutch TV networks didn't refuse Wilders' movie because of it was too offensive, but because Wilders had too much demands. TV networks have a policy that they want to see things first before they broadcast it. Wilders didn't want to show it to them. They had to broadcast it, while they wouldn't know what they were broadcasting. Even the Dutch Islamic Broadcasting Organisation wanted to show the movie, but Wilders refused.

Anyway, this still makes your point about the hypocrisy of the UN true.

KJ, the Netherlands

[KJ]

Great, but there is one thing. The Dutch TV networks didn't refuse Wilders' movie because of it was too offensive, but because Wilders had too much demands. TV networks have a policy that they want to see things first before they broadcast it. Wilders didn't want to show it to them. They had to broadcast it, while they wouldn't know what they were broadcasting. Even the Dutch Islamic Broadcasting Organisation wanted to show the movie, but Wilders refused.

Anyway, this still makes your point about the hypocrisy of the UN true.

KJ, the Netherlands