tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29145551.post7718012935788160796..comments2024-02-10T07:26:14.917-05:00Comments on Baha'i Faith in Egypt: Egypt & Human Rights: Is the Fox Guarding the Henhouse?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29145551.post-35371123819427813272007-05-24T16:39:00.000-04:002007-05-24T16:39:00.000-04:00Bill,Thank you for your comment. I think it is wor...Bill,<BR/>Thank you for your comment. I think it is worth mentioning here that comment contributors to this blog are of various affiliations and backgrounds.Bilohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08060802520953738221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29145551.post-88999548366274312722007-05-24T15:31:00.000-04:002007-05-24T15:31:00.000-04:00I generally avoid using the phrase "with all due r...I generally avoid using the phrase "with all due respect" because it is an indication to me that the respect is not there. Egypt should not be on the Human Rights Council. My point is that the UN is a group of nation states acting in their own interests. Of course there should be something better. But abandoning the organization entirely because it is flawed is not the best solution. The Universal House of Justice has not abandoned the United Nations organization and so I do not think the Baha'is should take that radical a step. Rather, we should be making every effort to improve it and to contribute to the education of governments and civil society about the absolute necessity of a world federation in which nations cede some of their sovereignty to international authority.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29145551.post-57044084897826477372007-05-23T15:46:00.000-04:002007-05-23T15:46:00.000-04:00the other option is the World Government set up by...the other option is the World Government set up by the Will and testament of Bahaullah and Abdul Baha....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29145551.post-28020476383213123092007-05-23T01:11:00.000-04:002007-05-23T01:11:00.000-04:00To Anonymous 2,Your example makes the point that t...To Anonymous 2,<BR/><BR/>Your example makes the point that the UN Council on Human Rights or the UN is useless. <BR/><BR/>So the UN is not as effective as it should be. But what hope is there other than the UN or an organization similar to it to promote respect for human rights.<BR/><BR/>The other option is to throw in the towel. I am not in favor of that option. It is better to try than give up!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17133352683952286919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29145551.post-84771535087355248002007-05-22T21:47:00.000-04:002007-05-22T21:47:00.000-04:00Anonymous,You raise very important questions. Than...Anonymous,<BR/>You raise very important questions. Thank you....Bilohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08060802520953738221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29145551.post-35477412136264892512007-05-22T19:39:00.000-04:002007-05-22T19:39:00.000-04:00With all due respect sir [for sake of discussion]I...With all due respect sir [for sake of discussion]I have this neighbor who fires his gun without regard his surroundings and kills my pet dog<BR/>Yet there is a law that was passed by the government forbidding the killing of dogs and other animals but refuses to press charges against my neighbor because the government refuses to recognize that Sable and White Collies [dogs] are animals and my dog was a Sable and White Collie???<BR/><BR/><BR/>Now how ridiculous does that government look if it joins the International Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals<BR/>And the International Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals refuses to pressure government A to enforce international treaties??<BR/><BR/>They pass a resolution saying killing Sable and White Collies but PROVIDES NO PENALTIES FOR KILLING Sable and White Collies!!!<BR/><BR/><BR/>Would you not say that the International Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a useless organization???Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29145551.post-57077916544256517292007-05-22T13:17:00.000-04:002007-05-22T13:17:00.000-04:00Although Anonymous thinks the UN is a joke, he sho...Although Anonymous thinks the UN is a joke, he should remember the underlying structure of the UN. The UN is not a world government. It is an association of nation-states primarily concerned with their own interests. The UN is only broadly speaking concerned with the interests of humanity as a whole. The reason for creating a Human Rights Council, which the Baha'i International Community supported, was to change the tendency for human rights violators to be placed on the previous human rights bodies. Unfortunately, it is clear that the new type of elections for this Human Rights Council can also result in memmbership of nations that violate human rights.<BR/><BR/>If you observe the General Assembly votes regarding the persecution of Baha'is in Iran, you will note that they are passed by a MINORITY of nations in the UN. This is because there are significant numbers of nations that abstain from votes against Iran's treatment of the Baha'is. If the UN operated by Baha'i principles of voting within consultative bodies, the resolutions against Iran's treatment of the Baha'is would not pass (there is no abstaining in Baha'i votes on resolutions; if a majority is not in favor, the resolution does not pass). Baha'is should have no illusions that the UN's members all subscribe to human rights; but the UN is at least committed in principle and carries out a vigorous exchange among governments and NGOs about this issue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29145551.post-9590669031486954792007-05-21T16:12:00.000-04:002007-05-21T16:12:00.000-04:00r.a., Thank you for your clear and balanced commen...r.a., Thank you for your clear and balanced comment.Bilohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08060802520953738221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29145551.post-43368131047586168132007-05-21T08:53:00.000-04:002007-05-21T08:53:00.000-04:00The election of Egypt to the UNHRC is an opportuni...The election of Egypt to the UNHRC is an opportunity for progress, despite the obvious conflict that it highlights with regards to violations. The system of involving countries that have a history of such human rights abuses is one that would see a process of rehabilitation, and offer experienced observation as to the true meaning of human rights. To engage such parties in this practice increases their qualifications and opportunities for rectification, and equally, their responsibilities and accountability to the greater UN body. If it so happens that there is no improvement in Egypt’s current deficient performance after their membership to the UNHRC, then it would truly be an absolute exposure and humiliation to the member states that Egypt is not sincere or compatible, thus furthering the process of achievement.<BR/><BR/>Credit is to be given to the UN for such a system where there is democracy, justice and appropriate leniency, as well as inclusion whereby the violator is not secluded, but given the opportunity and means to achieve a higher standard. Whatever reason may provoke some to challenge the integrity of the UN, let it be clear that there is no other entity that is as close to a just and democratic world government as has been achieved, and if weighed against the performance of national states, and the extensive scale of its involvement, it is far more advanced and qualified than any present governing body. If there are any imperfections, it is due to its relative infancy as a global entity, and the process of maturity that its member nations have yet to achieve.<BR/><BR/>One would hope that Egypt show its true worth and take this opportunity to rectify its actions, and by example, advance others to do the same.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29145551.post-40348096971400230472007-05-20T19:32:00.000-04:002007-05-20T19:32:00.000-04:00the UN is a joke...they have no idea as to what co...the UN is a joke...<BR/><BR/>they have no idea as to what constitutes justice....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29145551.post-72076449251469468752007-05-20T16:28:00.000-04:002007-05-20T16:28:00.000-04:00First of all, thank you for your concern and sugge...First of all, thank you for your concern and suggestion. Baha'is are indeed present in 218 countries (according to the Encyclopaedia Britanica linked <A HREF="http://www.britannica.com/eb/table?tocId=9394911" REL="nofollow"><STRONG>here</STRONG></A>). These countries are represented by the Baha'i World Community which has a permanent representative to the United Nations, who is actively engaged in raising awareness and presenting to the United Nations the struggle of the Egyptian Baha'is as well as the human rights violations being committed by others.Bilohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08060802520953738221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29145551.post-61040529917310523652007-05-20T12:45:00.000-04:002007-05-20T12:45:00.000-04:00You have bahai's in each country- what are those b...You have bahai's in each country- what are those bahai's doing to make their UN representative understand the egyptian government's attacks on the bahai's and human rights record. Clearly there are 168 bahai communities that are not doing enough!! What are you doing to get these 168 bahai communities to speak to their represetnatives.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29145551.post-76066912584590925562007-05-20T06:16:00.000-04:002007-05-20T06:16:00.000-04:00The Egyptian HR-NGOs wrote their letter before the...The Egyptian HR-NGOs wrote their letter before the election. Perhaps they would look at it now from a different angel and see this as an opportunity and as a crack in the door that could lead to improvement in HR conditions in Egypt!Bilohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08060802520953738221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29145551.post-27210440022763872672007-05-20T05:35:00.000-04:002007-05-20T05:35:00.000-04:00Bilo,Some Angolans NGO's considered Angola's elect...Bilo,<BR/><BR/>Some Angolans NGO's considered Angola's election as step necessary to increase the respect for Human rights in Angola. And Human Rights in Angola are in a terrible situation, despite some efforts of the Government.<BR/><BR/>Some Angolan friends say that now they have more hope in the future.<BR/><BR/>Could it be that Angolans are being positive and Egyptians are being negative about this event?<BR/><BR/>To know more about Human Rights in Angola, check <A HREF="http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78718.htm" REL="nofollow">this report by the US State Department</A>.Marco Oliveirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17869587541406850153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29145551.post-22470831507560112042007-05-20T00:02:00.000-04:002007-05-20T00:02:00.000-04:00It could be an opportunity for Egypt to correct it...It could be an opportunity for Egypt to correct its course and its human rights record. It is now under the spot light...this is the blessing in disguise!Bilohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08060802520953738221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29145551.post-19425435070173371362007-05-19T22:09:00.000-04:002007-05-19T22:09:00.000-04:00A fox in the hen house is indeed the perfect descr...A fox in the hen house is indeed the perfect description of this development! <BR/><BR/>On the other hand, perhaps the Egyptian representative(s) will see the injustices in other countries and work towards avoiding the same injustices in Egypt! If so, something good might come out of this situation!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17133352683952286919noreply@blogger.com