UN President's Anti-Gay Remarks Condemned

by Rhonda J Mangus | September 25, 2009 at 01:54 pm
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UN President's Anti-Gay Remarks Condemned

UN President's Anti-Gay Remarks Condemned

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The United Nations' new president, Ali Abdussalam Treki, a Libyan diplomat, recent anti-gay remarks at the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly that opened for debate at the United Nations Headquarters in New York this week, were condemned by Illinois Representative Mike Quigley and Congresswoman Illeana Ros-Lehtinen.

When asked about a UN resolution that calls for the universal decriminalization of being gay, Treki called the matter “very sensitive.”

“[T]hat matter is very sensitive, very touchy,” Treki said. “As a Muslim, I am not in favor of it … it is not accepted by the majority of countries. My opinion is not in favor of this matter at all. I think it's not really acceptable by our religion, our tradition”

“It is not acceptable in the majority of the world. And there are some countries that allow that, thinking it is a kind of democracy … I think it is not,” he added.

The resolution, sponsored by France and the Netherlands, met with strong resistance from a group of Arab leaders who challenged it with a statement condemning being gay. The Arab-backed statement decried the decriminalization of being gay because it might lead to “the social normalization, and possibly the legitimization, of many deplorable acts including pedophilia.” Vatican officials also balked at the pro-gay resolution, saying it would promote gay marriage.

Congressman Quigley, a Democrat and longtime ally to the gay and lesbian community, responded on Thursday.

“I respect that there is a healthy diversity of viewpoints across our country and around the world, but to preserve that very freedom of expression, human rights need to be our common denominator,” Quigley told On Top Magazine in an email.

“With regard to the gentleman's remarks, what's 'not acceptable' is drawing geographic borders around equality,” he added.

Quigley, who won a special election in April to fill the seat vacated by Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, joined Florida Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, in criticizing the president's remarks.


Congresswoman Illeana Ros-Lehtinen was the first to speak out. Read her statement here.

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1
Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

Another great choice for President of the UN Assembly.  I just shake my head.

1
Rhonda J Mangus

I'm shaking mine too! Thanks for reading, commenting, and for the recommendation, albertacowpoke!



1
a211423

As a Muslim, I am not in favor of it

Treki needs to read the Preamble to the United Nations Charter.  He is in breach of the precepts set forth.

"We the peoples of the United Nations determined: to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom, And for these ends: to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours, and to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, and to ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, and to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples, Have resolved to combine our efforts to accomplish these aims: Accordingly, our respective Governments, through representatives assembled in the city of San Francisco, who have exhibited their full powers found to be in good and due form, have agreed to the present Charter of the United Nations and do hereby establish an international organization to be known as the United Nations."

4
Hugh Askew

Rather misleading headline. Nothing "anti-gay" about what he said (at least as quoted).

It appears (to this rather slow individual), that he is in favor of each nation being able to choose their own laws in this matter. Evidently, self-determination is no longer PC.

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Rhonda J Mangus

Hugh Askew, thank you for reading and commenting! I'm curious, what headline you would propose?


2
Hugh Askew

How 'bout "UN President Opposes Meddling" ?


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Rhonda J Mangus

Hugh, if that's the case -- please read a211423's comments. Thanks:)!

6
Hugh Askew

Read it, thank you.

No mention of "meddling".

If we are to follow the line of thinking that says it is our right, or our obligation, to impose our mores on those others that disagree with us, then where is their freedom? Where are their rights?

What becomes of us, when in the future, another wave of thinking, or another group of nations, imposes it's values upon us?

Even a cursory reading of history reveals the rise and fall of notions, and of nations.

800 years ago, our notions of correctness would have been laughable in either the Mongol or Islamic kingdoms, who were the undisputed powers of the world. 100 years from now, given the suicidal demographic tendencies of the western world, it is almost unthinkable to imagine that our values will be predominate. Shove your values down the throat of those that disagree with those values, and your grandchildren will curse you for your foolishness.

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Rhonda J Mangus

Hugh, your points are well-taken. However, not only should 'we' know the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but we should understand The Creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well.

Too, as I have said elsewhere, the idea that most people can not apparently transcend religious, political, and cultural indoctrination in order to understand that 'we' are all human beings deserving of every right to be treated with dignity and respect, just puzzles me. I really don't understand it. What is the problem?


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Hugh Askew

The "problem" lies in who is in charge. Simple enough.

If i agree with " 'we' are all human beings deserving of every right to be treated with dignity and respect", aren't i obligated to treat those human beings with "dignity and respect" for their ideas, religions, cultures, and values? Or is it that only your idea of "correct" that gets the respect?

Your ideas, your values, your mores, and your opinions differ from many/most of the earth's population. Do you want Treki's values forced upon you, and upon those that think the way you do? I don't.

Who gets to decide what line of thinking is correct? You? Me? Treki?

And while the "Universal Declaration" thingy sounds really good and, um, universal, i'm skeptical. Obviously, Treki has his doubts as well.  Besides, no one asked my opinion.


1
Rhonda J Mangus

Hugh, I believe that everyone is obligated to work toward transcending religious, political, and cultural indoctrination in order to 'see' that 'we' are all human beings to be afforded every right to be treated with dignity and respect.

Remove, for example, sexual orientation from the equation, and each of us is a Human Being at the end of the day!:) I really don't know how to make it any clearer:)

Nevertheless, I do appreciate your opinion -- I just don't agree with it:)





3
Hugh Askew

Thank you. It becomes clearer now that you explain.

Quote: "I believe that everyone is obligated to work toward transcending religious, political, and cultural indoctrination in order to 'see' that 'we' are all human beings to be afforded every right to be treated with dignity and respect."

In other words, the cultural and religious values of individuals, countries, religions, and/or ethnic groups must be subjugated to the contrived secular values of the "elite". The "elite" being those that are elevated  above the proles and rabble of the earth, by education, birth, status, or acclamation. The rabble must be re-indoctrinated with the values chosen by the "elite".

We -or at least the "elite" - must, in essence, become intolerant for the sake of tolerance.

War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength

To these let us now add:  Tolerance is Intolerance


1
Rhonda J Mangus

Hugh, not quite:) Religious and political identities are, for the greater part, divisive. And, there is no 'elite' as you define it, as a result of transcending religious, political, and cultural indoctrination. With this said, I really have nothing further to add other than if one can not transcend these barriers to 'see' that we are all human and, therefore, equal, one should at least be able to reflect on them intelligently with the hope of transcending them.

In other words, everything for the greater good!:) Murder, rape, torture, oppression, etc. etc. under the miss-guided indoctrinated guise of religion and politics is not for the greater good. Anyone who would like to try to convince me otherwise, please feel free to do so!:)



2
Hugh Askew

Well, of course religion and politics are divisive. So what. Hairstyles are divisive. Football is divisive. Horseshoes is divisive (of course that has more to do with my style of play than the actual sport...but that's a subject for another day.......).

Because they are divisive, we should give them up? Then what? Some syrupy pablum of "correct" ideas?  And then who gets to indoctrinate whom?   i haven't seen anyone here advocating "murder, rape, torture, oppression, etc" as is implied. I re-read Treki's position, didn't see anything there, either. I'm not sure what "barriers" i'm supposed to "transcend" in order to reach this "greater good". It seems fairly obvious that i'm going to fail to fit whatever agenda i'm supposed to fit, tho i don't even know what it is - except perhaps being politically correct enough to please the thought police.

I have seen nothing in any of the arguments/comments opposing Treki's position, that give a rational reason to take away the right of a sovereign nation to self determination, simply because of our opinion of what happens to politically correct at the moment.



1
Rhonda J Mangus

Hugh, thanks again for sharing your thoughts. I honestly don't have anything more to say. In fact, I am speaking here more than I probably have in the two years I have been on NP. I don't know what 'possessed' me:)! Take good care and thanks again!




3
Yeshuanation

Quote: "I believe that everyone is obligated to work toward transcending religious, political, and cultural indoctrination in order to 'see' that 'we' are all human beings to be afforded every right to be treated with dignity and respect."

Yes, this quote is a very loaded statement. Note the word "indoctrination", as if ALL religious, political, or cultural "beliefs" are a product of indoctrination.

"Everyone is obligated" according to who? Who obligated us to toss aside our religions, politics, and culture. I would really like to know who this is? Can you tell me?

No, the NWO wants to be the indoctrinator. No thanks.

Freedom has to do with freedom of thought, i.e., beliefs. If you take that away and mandate everyone be "tolerant" that is accept your ideas of tolerance, then you've stripped individuals and countries of the right to think for themselves. Not to think, you must accept the thought policies we establish with our transcendent values. You are not treating people with dignity when you teach them all to shut up, don't think, and obey your way of thinking.

1
Rhonda J Mangus

Yeshuanation, poor choice of a word (obligated) sorry! I won't try to convince you about the nature of religious, political or cultural indoctrination. I can only ask that you acknowledge it exists, or at least think about it.

Nowhere, do I teach anyone to "shut up, don't think, and obey [my] way of thinking". And, while I am 'at it':) Freedom is a state of mind:)

Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!


2
Amy Judd

He starts with 'very sensitive' then says he's not in favour of it, then says the majority of the world does not accept it, it just kept growing and growing. As someone from Libya he most certainly wouldn't think it's ok, but if he can't put that aside, he shouldn't have become the UN pres in my opinion.

1
a211423

If the Arab nations in question are not in favor of decriminalizing being gay by resolution, then they are in favor of the criminalization of a person based on sexual preference.  They are putting forth a descriminatory human rights agenda that is in direct conflict with the U.N. Charter which is to preserve human rights of all people and to live in tolerance and peace.    

1
Babel-Fish

The point is in though I think that gays should have human rights the fact is most Muslims in Libya feel that being gay is against Islamic teaching.

To him of course it is very sensitive but can we blame him or do we blame the real problem and that of his and his country religion. As for the democratic reference unfortunately if the issues of rights for gays was put to referendum in most Arab states the nays would have the democratic vote.  

As for him being the United Nation president concerning the UN Charter.

to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women.
 

Muslims would in fact say that both men and women do have rights that are equal to women and equal to men as Allah has commanded.

However yes any Muslim nation within UN could be in reality in breach of the Charter, the problem being is the UN was created for every nation to have a seat and a say. There is many nations that would be considered in breach of the original charter. I would suggest the charter is a guideline to what the UN,s was created to achieve, it would be however bad politics to enforce the charter to be fully obeyed before a nation obtained a seat.

But perhaps the president of the UN should only go to a nation that agreed completely to the charter. Therefore no Muslim should hold the presidential seat.

Treki is on this issue stuck between a rock and a hard place, he does not in fact have any other option than follow a religious path on the issues of gay freedom as the representative of a Muslim nation and remembering what the obvious outcome would be to an referendum .

This then makes me question if gay rights was put to a referendum vote would such democratic event take away the right of gays?  In my opinion is the gays would lose in USA but in UK and lest religious countries of Europe they would win hands down. They certainly would have my vote. 

I feel that Treki is right to question that gay rights have not been a procees of a democratic decision its been one of lobbying.

   



0
Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

If a Democratic vote would be at issue here, chances are that this would also be voted down in a lot of Western Country.  Luckily, in most western democracies we have a human rights legislation that protects minorities.  Why do you think it so hard to get gay marriage legalized in most of U.S. states?  This has been a long hard struggle and it.s not democracy that is at stake here, but human rights of minorities. 

Canada's wimpy politicians that wanted to legalize gay marriage, gave it to the Supreme Court to decide to avoid political backlash.  When the Supreme Court decided in favour of gays the world didn't start tumbling down.

Here is the 2c worth from an Alberta redneck, as they say.

1
Rhonda J Mangus

And your '2c worth' is always deeply appreciated, albertacowpoke! Thanks for reading, commenting, and for the recommendation!:)



0
Rhonda J Mangus

Babel-Fish, thanks for sharing your thoughts on this matter. However, I do not agree that:

"...he does not in fact have any other option than follow a religious path on the issues of gay freedom..."

He has an option, he just doesn't see it! And this is what puzzles me:)! He can not transcend 'his' religious, political, and cultural indoctrination in order to understand that 'we' are all human beings entitled to every right to be treated equally and with dignity and respect.

0
a211423

Babel

I would not consider gay rights to be any different that considering rights for women, and this could be contentious as well.  You say, "the U.N. was created for every nation to have a seat and a say."  Arabs in question  are free to vote their individual conscience, but for Treki to use the position as president to profess his agenda is wrong, and he claims to be speaking for "the majority of the world" which is speciously presumptive and offensive.  

Additionally with an anti-gay agenda by some Arabs, the advocacy for confronting the world wide epidemic of AIDS  might be in question, which includes women and children.  The criminalization of gays can have far reaching effects than what we are discussing here.

5
Hugh Askew

Quote:  "....but for Treki to use the position as president to profess his agenda is wrong, and he claims to be speaking for "the majority of the world" which is speciously presumptive and offensive."

Wowser!!!   Try using the president of the US of A in place of Treki.  Not much traction there, i'm afraid.

0
Babel-Fish

Reading what he said did not look like it was any thing to do with his agenda?  It was to do with his personal and the majority of the citizens of his countrys opinion. As he said its sensitive and surely any forms of votes on the issue on what UN's global approach on gay issues is supposed to be a democratic decision all members of UN. The president does not have the power to set his own agenda's in fact due to the 4 top countries having a veto his pretty powerless to effect any world change.

The problem is there are not many nations that could fit to the right profile required by the UN Charter. United States nor my own homeland United Kingdom can not yet the total idea to formulated United nations out of the league of nations on the very principle of the UN charter was basically theirs. Its not a perfect world unfortunately and most of the elitist leaders are corrupt or been corrupted by power.

The criminalization of gays started with religion and not just the Islamic one. Religion has made it very hard to be stopped and we can shout to we are blue whilst these religions exist They will not want to hear as their so called God has said sodomy is a crime.




4
alexander71

U guys are hypocrite !!! Sometime it amazes me why we fall short in self-criticism and try to find problem with others (specially Muslims). Britain and US has the worst record of domestic violence, teen and child abuse (its a fact, read some survey from whichever source u prefer). Yet we criticize that Islam discriminates women.

U r intentionally bypassing the fact that "Vatican officials also balked at the pro-gay resolution, saying it would promote gay marriage." Vatican, that means Christian religious people also opposed to the resolution, so its not only a Islamic problem, its also a Christianity problem. However, if u r not a religious person then do not bother replying to this message.


0
Rhonda J Mangus

alexander71, some of us may be 'hypocrites', but not all:). Too, I don't think anyone is intentionally bypassing self-criticism or trying to find fault with others, or ignore any fact (there are many) including "The Umbrella of U.S. Power":) that I mentioned to Roy C.

"However, if u r not a religious person then do not bother replying to this message."

Religious or not, wouldn't you rather keep the discourse going?:) 


3
lounsbury

"When asked about a UN resolution that calls for the universal decriminalization of being gay"

Is being gay the issue?

Why is the United Nations, let's say this out loud together... the United Nations, involved in sodomy laws in sovereign countries that reflect the cultures of the people that live in them?

I think that the UN is trying to stick it's known in an issue that they feel has traction in making countries that aren't in lock step with their idea of morality, to subjugate themselves or else.

I don't feel that prosecuting sodomy is a good idea, whether you're for or against it, but who is the UN to tell any country that sodomy is moral? The folks driving that train need to learn to accept that sexual behavior is not a human right. Being gay is not illegal anywhere that I am aware of, therefore the issue is sodomy and sodomy laws.

0
Rhonda J Mangus

lounsbury, thanks for stopping by! Unfortunately, sodomy laws are necessary for the reason that rape in this fashion occurs to men, women, and children alike and, therefore, must be prosecutable.

Nevertheless, you might want to read Where is Gay Sex Illegal and then note how many of the countries named therein are parties (signatories) to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Libya being one of them).


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