U.S. Civil and Human Rights Leaders Urge U.S. Government to Participate Fully in the World Conference Against Racism
Feature Story by Civilrights.org staff - 8/28/2001
August 28, 2001--The announcement yesterday that Secretary of State Colin Powell will not attend the World Conference Against Racism (WCAR) in Durban, South Africa has met with strong criticism from the American civil and human rights community.A statement issued by a diverse group of civil rights organizations attending the WCAR emphasized the importance of the U.S. taking its seat at the table: "The WCAR represents an historic opportunity for hundreds of nations around the world to acknowledge, discuss and combat issues of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. The United States government should participate in the global dialogue taking place in Durban and should do so at a level that reflects its responsibilities as a world leader."
Powell had initially voiced intense interest in attending the international summit. An inability to resolve disputes over precise language in the conference documents is being blamed for the administration's about-face. However, the statement attacked that argument as contrary to American values.
"As a vigorous defender of free speech, it would be ironic for the U.S. to refuse the opportunity to present its views in the marketplace of ideas that the WCAR provides. To the extent that it disagrees with the views of other nations, the U.S. should engage the WCAR to help shape the Conference's Declaration and Plan of Action."
Rev. Jesse Jackson, who is headed to Durban with a private delegation, voiced concern that the U.S. is defaulting on its duty as the sole superpower, "If you look at the progress we've made and how deeply we've been involved in racial policies, we have a story to tell and some obligation to lead."
Civil rights leaders in the U.S. also spoke out against the decision to have Powell sit out of the debate. "I would prefer that we be there at the highest level condemning the Zionist resolution, while advancing an affirmative agenda," said Christopher Edley Jr., co-director of the Harvard Civil Rights Project and a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. "The symbolic value of our being represented at a ministerial level by a minority is a powerful lesson to countries where people are murdered by the thousands because of racial differences."
