The Durban Conference 2009 Boycotted: Civil Society's Role?

I hear today that the Durban II (2009)Conference is being boycotted by several countries, unsurprisingly the US, which had previously lowered its diplomatic representation last year, decides to "boycott". the conference... but, also Australia, Canada, Holland, and Germany

What can civil society in each of these countries decide to do about this?

What is the role of civil society in this?

This is the time to remember Apartheid South Africa



I cannot but remember archbishop Desmond Tutu's words: "if you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor"no to neutrality, no to being on the fence, no to normalization with apartheid israel, not after the spilt blood of citizens in massacres, slaughters... the occupation, repression, settler colonialism, settlement expansion, home demolision, land expropriation and system of racial discrimination in 1948 lands, bantustans in west bank and Gaza... Gaza the largerst concentration camp in modern history, the citizens under collective punishment...

Remember Apartheid South Africa... remember when people of conscience refused to shake hands with South African whites during the Apartheid regime as an objection to the racist system there?

Under occupation, racial segragation, imprisonment here, inferiority is felt... but, who makes those standards? the standards are put & represented by those who make the Other believe s/he is "inferior"

Why should a state exist based on religion? why not for ALL of its citizens?
why does injustice soar up higher during our days, & what can you do about it?

PEOPLE POWER
CIVIL RESISTANCE
BOYCOTT... Apartheid Israel...
You decide where power lies... not your "leaders"

Natalie
Gaza