Volume 2, No. 10, October 2001

Free speech, democracy, human rights, etc. has proved yet again to be a farcical hoax for the two so-called largest democracies of the world. While America opposed even a discussion linking Zionism to racism, India vehemently opposed putting caste discrimination on the agenda of the WCAR Conference. Here, the question was of mere discussion — a resolution on these issues may or may not have followed — but, even this was not tolerated. Collin Powel, the US Secretary of State, who was to attend, boycotted the event, and a middle-ranking official was sent, that too as an observer. The US demanded a total silence on Zionism, and when this was not guaranteed, they, together with Canada and Israel, downgraded their attendance. India successfully kept caste discrimination out of the WCAR agenda in the face of vocal opposition from a number of dalit groups.

So, free speech for the rulers of these countries means vulgar TV and films, nonsensical trash in the media, but no open discussion whatsoever on issues that affect the lives of millions of people!! And as far as human rights is concerned they see violations only in other countries, like China or the Islamic countries, but not those occurring under their very nose. They are blind to the atrocities in Palestine or in the dalit enclaves in India’s half-a-million villages and thousands of urban slums.

The occasion for these discussions was the one week United Nations sponsored ‘World Conference Against Racism. Racial Discrimination, Xenophobic and Related Intolerance’ (in short WCAR) held in the beginning of September in South Africa. The huge gathering was attended by 15,000 delegates. These included 1,500 NGO organizations, and also 30 Heads of State and Government. The Conference itself was the culmination of a process begun in March 1999.

Such extravaganza (it cost the South African govt. 100million rand or Rs.56 crores), like the earlier Beijing Conference on Women, is aimed at giving the UN its liberal mask, to hide its otherwise brutal and pro-west (more particularly pro-US) role throughout the world. Its secretary general, Kofi Annan, a US stooge, has blatantly used the UN as the ‘neutral’ claw of US global policy. Its openly biased role in West Asia, including Iraq, the Balkans, and numerous other flashpoints of the world, made it appear more and more as a crude extended wing of the US foreign department. Showpieces, like such Conferences, which touch on some genuine problems facing the world’s people — like women, race, etc. — acts as a good cover to its otherwise reactionary role.

Yet, today, with crises abounding throughout the world, such showpieces are also tending to get out of hand. While on the one hand, the reactionaries all over are swinging to extreme rightist positions, with intolerant and bigoted views (as the Bush and Vajpayee administrations), on the other, the cry of the oppressed is becoming more and more difficult to silence. Reaction and revolt are crystalising in the embryo of the growing imperialist crisis.

And in this evolving confrontation the reactionaries hope to utilize their gigantic NGO network throughout the world as a buffer to soften the people’s blows. NGOs are now incorporated as an official part of the UN agenda. It adds to the liberal mask of the UN.

The sharpening contradictions in the world were reflected in the run-up to the conference, where, of the 142 paras of the draft declaration, only 60 could be agreed. But the sharpest conflict came over the questions of: racism and the demands for compensation for past slavery, Zionism and casteism. On all three issues the imperialists finally forced their opinion. The final Declaration was a total was a total sell-out.

Now, before coming to these questions, let us first look at the Conference itself.

The WCAR is being held under the terms of the UN General Assembly resolution 52/111 of 1997. Two earlier Conferences on the same themes, both called ‘World Conference to Combat Racism & Racial Discrimination’ were held in Geneva, in Aug.’78 and Aug.’83. The US stayed away from both these Conferences. The Durban Conference has been long in preparations, with several preparatory meetings and regional seminars. Starting with the ‘Session Open-ended Working Group’ to review and formulate proposals for the WCAR (Mar.99), there have been at least 17 such preparatory meetings and regional conferences and seminars. After nearly two weeks of deliberations in Geneva in August, the preparatory committee could agree to only 60 of the 142 paragraphs of the Declaration and 85 of the 106 paragraphs of the ‘Programme of Action’.

The Conference itself was preceded by the official 4-day Conference of the NGOs, which also brought out their independent declaration. But what did not get that type of media coverage about the Conference were the confrontation between organized labour and the government on the issue of the privatisaion of state assets. A two-day general strike was called on the eve of the WCAR, dramatically juxtaposing the issue of capitalism and racism. Besides, outside the venue demonstrations engulfed the area. Particularly noteworthy were the demonstrations in support of the Palestinian cause. Also, there were vehement protests by the dalit organizations of India.

At the Conference the imperialist countries played a particularly low-key role. Not surprisingly, as they have been the main perpetrators of racism, slavery, colonialism, Zionism, and have been responsible for propping up the worst forms discrimination and bigotry in the backward countries of the world. They had little moral authority to open their mouth. But what they did not say openly, they (particularly the US) did backstage, browbeating the various representatives not to pursue an anti-Zionist tone in the final Declaration, or to the demand compensation for past slavery.

The official Indian delegation too ganged up with the imperialists. It was a quid-pro-quo between the masters and their chamchas. While the former, through their agent Kofi Annan, did not allow the caste question to be put on the agenda of the Conference, the Indian government supported the US on the question of Zionism. The official Indian representative played a most despicable and reactionary role at this Conference. For them, linking Zionism to racism is ‘extremism’ and supporting the US standpoint is ‘moderate’ and ‘decent’.

At the conclusion of the Conference, while the NGO’s Declaration took a firmer stand on the three issues mentioned above the official Declaration was a total sell-out to the imperialists.

Now let us look at the three major issues that were discussed.

The focus of most of the African delegates was on this question, which was, in fact the central theme of the Conference. They called for compensation for the disastrous impact of slave trade of taking Africans to America. Millions lost their lives in the process. It was one of the most cruel and inhuman gifts of early capitalism. Any compensation is a just demand and those responsible must give a public apology. But, today’s imperialists are just the descendents of those slave traders, and would be happy if they could once again get that type of free labour. No wonder the Americans and the Europeans are neither apologetic nor prepared for compensation.

But, if any compensation is to be decided it must go direct to the peoples’ organizations and not the comprador rulers of these countries. Most of the corrupt rulers of these countries, who are anyway sold out to neo-colonialism, cannot be expected to use these funds in the people’s interests. Besides it is the very forefathers of these corrupt African rulers who in fact collaborated with the Whites for the sale of their own people.

Yet, having accepted the legitimacy of their demand, it cannot but be said that past history cannot be the main theme for such a conference. Its current manifestation is what is of key importance. To harp on the past, without linking it to its current manifestations, makes the conference of mere academic value. In fact the very UN Human Rights Commission has published reports of brutal killings in Germany, the USA and other parts of Western Europe during 1998 and 1999 based on racial beliefs of the people. The central question that needs to be addressed on this issue, is the growing racism, particularly in the developed countries, linked to rising unemployment and the growth of fascist parties. Blacks in America, South Asians in Britain, Turks in Germany, and immigrants in all other countries of Europe face increasing humiliation, discrimination and even murderous attacks. In all these countries the State and mainstream parties are soft on the fascists thereby lending the fascists legitimacy and fueling racism. It was primarily this problem that needed to be addressed while discussing racism in the 21st century.

Of course, if racism as it exists today were the central theme, the comprador rulers of Africa would not be able to ask for funds. Besides, the imperialists who were unable to tolerate a theme dealing with their past misdeeds, would certainly not want their current crimes to be exposed.

Having said that the issue, as it was discussed, was itself diversionary, the final declaration basically bowed to the wishes of the imperialists. There was no unconditional apology of the colonizers nor was the compensation agreed upon linked to the damages of slave trade. But the African compradors were happy as a package of economic assistance and debt relief was agreed upon. Yet, even this was linked to the necessity of opening of markets. Though the NGO Declaration took a firm stand on the above issue, it too did not think it necessary to dwell on the issue of racism as it exists today.

It is now nearly a year into the murderous attacks of the Israelis on the Palestinian people. Top Palestinian leaders, like the head of the PLFP (Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine) have been murdered. Women and children have been massacred. It is quite natural that not only Arabs but also all right-minded people would link Zionism to a form of racism. This is more particularly so, given the fact that the very UN had drawn this link for nearly two decades. Yet, this became the main bone of contention, due to the frenzied opposition from the US, and the subtle opposition of the rest of the imperialist gang. It was as far back as 1975 that the UN General Assembly (UNGA) had declared Zionism as racism. But, this formulation was removed as part of the compromise struck in the Oslo Accord in 1993. In other words it was the same Arafat, who was instrumental in the removing of that understanding of Zionism. It is such capitulators that have harmed the Palestinian cause. Now at this Conference he made bold statements, which of course were welcome, without any apology for the blunder of 1993. But, how seriously can the Palestinians and democrats worldwide take such a person who is a master of somersaults. It is therefore not surprising that the final declaration on this issue was the worst sell-out of the entire conference.

At the Conference itself, the Americans, who attended as mere observers, resorted to all types of arm-twisting, and threatened to leave the conference if the clause in the original draft was not removed. When no agreement could be reached the American delegation (together with the Israelis) staged a dramatic walk-out. This too was farcical as it was only the America contingent that left, the US ambassador to South Africa remained to continue the arm-twisting. The EU then came in as so-called intermediaries, with a stand-point, in effect, similar to that of the US. The final declaration had no mention of Zionism, and merely expressed concern "about the plight of the Palestinian people under foreign occupation". It went so far as to put "anti-semitism and Islamophobia" on an equal footing. The NGO forum took a strong position against Zionism, which was vehemently opposed by the secretary general of the conference, Mary Robinson.

What though, was even worse, was the role of the Indian delegation in supporting the US position. In fact, just a few days before the Conference, India’s foreign minister, Jaswant Singh, went out of his way to meet a special envoy of the Israeli government and assure him of India’s support. Such servility to the US shows to what extent the Indian rulers have allied against the Arab and Palestinian world. Not surprisingly, a few days after this conference, a high-level delegation, led by Israeli National Security Advisor, visited India to plan joint action against ‘terrorism’ and to train Indian security personnel!!

The Indian government went to extreme levels to prevent the discussion of caste discrimination at the WCAR. They were not even prepared to tolerate the term ‘discrimination on the basis of work and descent’, which found its way to the draft declaration due to an active campaign by the dalit groups. Due to hectic lobbying and pandering to the West’s stand on all other issues they got the imperialists, and their stooge Kofi Annan, to back their position on caste. Even Switzerland, which had made the demand for the retention of the clause ‘discrimination based on work & descent’ at the preparatory conference in Geneva, later withdrew its stand during the Conference itself. In the final declaration the Indian government, not only kept out any mention of caste, it also saw to it that there was no mention of discrimination based on "work and descent".

Why such rabid intolerance for even a discussion on caste based discrimination at the WCAR?

At the Tehran regional conference, attended by the South Asian countries, Indian officials denied the very existence of caste discrimination in India, on the grounds that it has legislation against it. When this raised a storm of protest, they changed their stand and said that caste cannot be equated with race and so cannot be taken on to the WCAR agenda. And when even this did not work they finally resorted to their pet theme, that it was an internal matter and that the issue should not be internationalized.

In fact the government went out of its way to try and prove its point on the caste/race equation. The Prime Minister himself set up a high-level committee to try and prove the point with Prof. Andre Beteille heading it. Beteillie went to the extent of virtually saying that drawing such an equation is "anti-national". The committee stated that "treating caste as a form of race is politically mischievous and scientifically nonsensical, the consequences of which will be fabrication or inventing more divisions in Indian society".

Though Beteille later resigned from the committee, due to vehement criticism of their ridiculous position, it shows to what extent the government was prepared to go to avoid a discussion on caste. All these arguments of the government were untenable on a number of counts. First, the very title of the conference goes beyond mere racism, to include "Racial Discrimination and Xenophobic and Related Intolerance", which could include casteism. Second, though the terms caste and race may not be synonymous, untouchability is far more degrading and humiliating than racism. Even today dalit families are burnt, shot, stabbed, or just bludgeoned to death. Dalit women are stripped and paraded naked in villages. Dalit youth are forced to drink urine and eat excreta if they dare to assert themselves above their lowly status (see article on page 26). Though legally allowed, in reality temple entry is opposed in many a subtle way. Even in the so-called liberal urban environment there is little or no social interaction of higher castes with dalits. Even in job reservations, while the vast number of posts in educational institutions are not filled, scavenging jobs in the municipality are packed with dalits, even beyond their quota. This is over and above the norm of not giving food or water to dalits from their own vessel. All this goes far beyond the discrimination faced through racism.

The govt. said, both at the conference and earlier, that it is actively dealing with the problem, when in fact the reality shows quite the opposite. And this is not only under the BJP raj (when of course the situation has got much worse), under all earlier governments most legislation has been rarely brought into effect. The yearly report of the Commissioner of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, which lists the crimes, merely gathers dust. Mostly the person is ignored by all officials. As shown in the following article, cases filed for caste discrimination, hardly ever results in conviction. Untouchability is one of the most cruel crimes against humanity, which has complete social sanction from the Hindu religion itself. Untouchability is only the extreme extension of caste discrimination, which is heavenly ordained by the Hindu (Brahminical) scriptures themselves. Quite naturally the Hindutva of the BJP, which aggressively promotes brahminical Hinduism, cannot tolerate a word being raised against caste. As Acharya Giriraj Kishore of the VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) said, in response to the dalit demands, that "it is a violation of human rights to abolish caste".

Finally when none of these arguments could stand ground they once again reverted back to their pet theme saying that it was an internal matter and that the issue should not be internationalized. While they themselves are preoccupied, night and day, in ‘internationalising’ (globalising) the entire economy, the entire media, and allowing in the foreign devil into virtually every aspect of the socio-economic life of the people, they talk against internationalizing caste. These blatant double standards, if applied to other countries would mean no discussion (or interference) on the earlier apartheid regime in S. Africa, on racism in the West, or on the policies of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

What then is the cause of the hysteria behind the Indian ruler’s panicky reaction to a mere discussion on caste? And why such a cooperative response from the imperialists throughout the world?

Both the Indian rulers and the imperialists have been widely promoting a myth throughout the world of an India with ‘its glorious, non-violent, tolerant and ancient civilization’. As a part of this, Gandhism has been widely disseminated worldwide (Kofi Annan even referred to it in his inaugural address) as the ideal form of resistance, while hindu religion is actively promoted as the panacea to all the ‘materialism’ (i.e. consumerism) in the West. Both are interwoven into a composite philosophy. An integral part of both these campaigns is the aspect of non-violence, making it an ideal outlet for the frustrated and disgruntled youth throughout the world, which could otherwise turn to communism. Portrayal of the inhumanity of casteism and untouchability will badly dent this myth meticulously built up over the years. It is then no wonder that both the Indian rulers and the imperialists conspired to keep the dalit question out of the agenda at the WCAR.

Yet it got actively raised at the NGO forum and even at the main conference they were forced to make an indirect reference to it. Besides, the active protests by the dalit groups, both outside and inside the hall, gave the issue worldwide publicity. It is unfortunate, of course, that many of these well funded NGOs do not show such an active interest in actually fighting dalit oppression back home, and the dalit MPs who attended have shown more interest in vote-bank politics for personal gain.

What must be remembered though, is that it is not only the BJP-led government who has taken such an adamant attitude. The Congress has not been much better. In Sept. 1996, in the concluding observation of the UN Committee on the Elimination of All forms of Racial Discrimination (ECERD), it was said, that "the situation of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes falls within the scope of the convention of the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination". But the government at that time refused to accept these international statements, supplied no information on the situation of the SCs and STs, and refused permission for scrutiny. Many of the dalits protesting there are active supporters of the Congress; others have even had electoral alliances with Hindu chauvinists.

Overall it was positive that the issue of caste discrimination has been raised internationally. The NGO declaration, in fact, devoted 8 paras to untouchability calling it a hidden apartheid. In addition, the dalit organizations present there were very vocal in their protests on the issue, which also helped bring international focus to it. This has been long overdue, particularly in the light of the VHP’s active campaign of Hindutva abroad. This needs to be followed up by as vigorous a campaign at home. The increasing attacks on dalits by upper-caste gangs backed by the police, needs militant retaliation, not merely high-sounding phraseology.

Though the conference declaration was a total sell-out to the imperialists, the events preceding the conclusion, brought into sharp focus particularly the issues of Zionism and casteism. In the conflict on these issues, not only were the reactionaries thoroughly exposed, but also those who finally compromised with the final declaration, was seen to display a total spinelessness. The people of the world have seen that it is not possible to trust the compromisers, and will realize the necessity to take their future into their own hands.

Though the NGO forum took somewhat better decisions, it has no plan of action. Another noteworthy stand of the NGO declaration was that it outright stated that the oppressed nationalities of the world were living in "occupied territory". While listing a number of nationalities, it included all the states of North-East India, Kashmir, the Tamils in the North-East of Sri Lanka, etc, as being "occupied territory". Of course, while calling for the right to self-determination it ignored that right of the people of the North-East of India, while supporting it for the Kashmiris and others.

What the WCAR Conference brought to light were the growing conflicts amongst the reactionaries. It also displayed an extreme rigidity on the part of the imperialists and their agents — an indication of the growing fascist trends amongst them. There is an urgent need to beat back this foul wind, blowing from the West. This can only be done by a united struggle of the oppressed peoples of the world.

The peoples of the world need to unite to fight back: the growing fascist inspired racist attacks in the West on blacks and other immigrants; the US backed Zionist attacks on Arabs in general, and Palestinians in particular; and the Sangh Parivar inspired vicious promotion of casteism,communalism and all that is reactionary. All these are a part of the growing fascism throughout the world, which is an inevitable result of the crisis of imperialism. It is therefore not surprising that the axis between the US imperialists and Zionists is getting closer to the ruling classes of India, in particular the Sangh Parivar compradors. India’s growing links with theses two demons is an indication of what is to come.

With the world economy heading for a recession, this fascist/racist trend is bound to grow in order to curb (and divert) the growing discontent of the masses. While the WCAR was able to push some issues to the forefront, the key issues of aggressive imperialism and growing fascism, is what needs to be tackled. This cannot be expected from a UN-type body or their NGO affiliates and will have to be taken up by the struggling masses throughout the world. Yet, the sharp struggle at this UN Conference on the issues of Zionism and casteism has brought these into international focus. With this, we can expect greater solidarity for both the Palestinian as also the dalit cause.

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