B'nai B'rith International convened its annual delegation to the seventh regular session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva from March 10 to 14. Led by BBI President Moishe Smith, the delegation included: Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin; BBI Geneva Representative Klaus Netter; Honorary Counsel of B'nai B'rith Canada David Matas; B'nai B'rith Israel Member Itzchak Mayer; and B'nai B'rith Geneva members Armand Azoulai, Azaria Acher, and Baruch Lascar. The following staff members also participated: Director of U.N. Affairs Sybil Kessler; Director of Intercommunal Affairs David Michaels; and Director of B'nai B'rith Europe's Foreign Advocacy Network Yves Pallade.

The delegation met with representatives from 32 states (including the Holy See) and five U.N. and NGO offices (including 3 Christian inter-religious groups). The delegation also made three oral statements and signed onto an additional one, convened a side event, hosted a diplomatic reception, and participated in two events hosted by B'nai B'rith Geneva's Henry Dunant Lodge.

Diplomatic Discussions

In its diplomatic discussions, BBI emphasized its continued concern: Like its predecessor, the Human Rights Council continues to be politicized rather than effectively promoting and protect human rights. One key issue is the credibility of the Council's membership and its ability to apply equitable human rights standards to all countries in good faith, with particular regard to the treatment of Israel. Just prior to the delegation's arrival, another one-sided resolution was adopted condemning Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip without recognizing its right to self-defense.

The team also discussed the Durban Review Conference and BBI's continuing concern that it not be used to further legitimize antisemitism and anti-Zionism at the U.N. The delegation requested that member states considering reversing the preparatory committee's choice of dates for upcoming meetings as they overlap with two major Jewish holidays – Passover and Yom Kippur. BBI also asked that the conference be held at the U.N. in New York or Geneva rather than in Durban or elsewhere and that member states continue advocating against re-negotiating the topics of discussion. Certain member states want to include new subjects such as Islamaphobia and religious defamation, which BBI fears would suppress freedom of expression as well as freedom of religion and belief.

BBI raised the problematic mandate of the "Special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967" with several representatives. In addition to the rapporteur's mandate, of particular interest was the fact that John Dugard, who has held the position since 2001, is stepping down. Unfortunately, the proposed candidate to fill his shoes, Professor Richard Falk of Princeton University, could potentially be the same or worse than Dugard, since Falk has a long and established record of accusing Israel of war crimes. This concern was expressed in various meetings. (Click here to see The Forward for BBI's comment after Falk's appointment.)

Also discussed was the global threat that Iran poses both as a human rights violator as and as a potential possessor of nuclear arms. This concern is elaborated upon in the attached oral statement on agenda item four, human rights situations that require the Human Rights Council's attention.

BBI convened a side event, "Reforming the Reformed U.N.," featuring expert member of the BBI Council on U.N. Affairs David Matas and director of U.N. Watch, Hillel Neuer. They discussed how to address concerns related to the Human Rights Council with an eye to reform. The council itself will be reviewed in 2011 and it's important that groups like BBI are ready to influence the process.