The Moral Choice

When the Conservative Government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper decided months ago that Canada would not attend the second annual World Conference on Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, to take place in Geneva in early 2009, it was with the memory of the Durban, South Africa first such conference - which erupted into a sordid hate-fest against Israel - in mind.

He made the decision at that time that Canada would have no part in attending a quasi-serious-international-conference of that ilk, which he termed an "anti-Semitic and anti-Western hate fest". It would not be Canada's intention, or in the best interests of the country, to give validation to a miserable and squalid campaign of hate under the guise of concern for human rights by lowering Canada's own standards of decency to attend.

The calibre of the organizing committee, reflecting countries of the world renowned for their casual rejection of human rights, (example: Libya, Pakistan, Iran and Cuba) gave ample forewarning of what could be anticipated at "Durban 2". That once again, despite assurances from the United Nations that there would be no repeat of the - in their words - "virulent anti-Semitic behaviour" of the past, an identical agenda would be revealed.

And sure enough, that's precisely what has occurred, made manifest in a preliminary draft; the ritual dehumanization of Israel as an evil occupying power usurping territory, and terrorizing hapless Palestinians, institutionalizing a national system of official apartheid. Along with the perverse denunciation of the Western industrialized countries for their egregious "Islamophobia", reflected in their response to violently bloody attacks by jihadists.

Obviously, as stated by Canada's Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity, Jason Kenney, "This is clearly an effort by certain interests and certain countries to use every available organ of the United Nations to play the same tune. It's getting tiresome." And exquisitely absurd, that a collective of totalitarian states stand together as a cabal in proud condemnation of Western liberal democracies.

Canada stands alone in its non-participatory, non-recognition stance with respect to Durban 2, thus far. The troubling thing for most fair-minded Canadians is that while initially the country's two other major political parties supported the decision of Prime Minister Harper to withdraw Canada from this fictive human-rights supporting conference, they've had second thoughts on the matter.

A contender for the leadership of the Liberal party, Dominic LeBlanc, feels that the governing party is demonstrating "a pattern of disrespect ... for the multilateral process", while an NDP spokesperson insists support for a Canadian delegation at Durban 2 is required. Unsurprisingly, opinion has come forward from two Canadian NGOs, the Ontario Federation of Labour and the Canadian Arab Federation.

Both would have it that the government's decision should be reversed. Mohamed Boudjenane, executive director of the Canadian Arab Federation, claims that "certain pro-Israel organizations" go "too far" in their support of a boycott. "If you're not there", he insists, "who will make sure that voice is there? Who will make sure to bring balance to the debate". Balance...consider the source.

Logical enough under most circumstances where neutrality and rational intelligence are the order of the day. Considering the pre-determined agenda and the insistence of the committee that it will once again bring its mendacious grievances to the light of day, there is little point, other than to lend ourselves to the process through our presence, to the organizing committee's agenda.

"Canada, under the Liberals, went to Durban 1, stayed there, tried to participate and we failed completely to change the outcome. I think most people would agree that our presence and participation, if anything, simply legitimized the process. When you look at this stuff, who's organizing the conference, how it's being organized, when you look at what actually happened at Durban 1, it's almost best to simply ignore this," explained Jason Kenney.

That's a pretty neat summation. Speaking volumes about the lack of ethical concern, the bankrupt moral position of Canada's opposing political parties.