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The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations 75 years ago this December, as was the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. But that same year also saw the institutionalization of apartheid in South Africa, and the Palestine War or Nakba which displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinian Arabs in the course of creating the state of Israel. What does it mean to commemorate this anniversary in a time of genocide and gross violation of human rights — particularly in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas? Until recently, Craig Mokhiber was the director in the New York Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), where he had served since 1992. A specialist in international human rights law, policy and methodology, he worked through genocides against Tutsis in Rwanda, Muslims in Bosnia, Yazidis in Iraq, and Rohingya in Myanmar. In his resignation letter, sent October 28th this year, he wrote, “Once again, we are seeing a genocide unfolding before our eyes, and the organization that we serve appears powerless to stop it.” Both Israel and Hamas have now been accused of committing gross violations of human rights in their current conflict, including acts of genocide. But what exactly is genocide? And what is the responsibility of the world to stop it? In this timely episode, Laura and Mokhiber explore the promise of the Universal Declaration and ask how we can honor this historic achievement while also acknowledging the hypocrisies of 1948 — and now. What can be learned from the South African experience that might offer a way forward for peace with justice for Israelis and Palestinians? All that and a commentary from Laura on what it takes for us to recognize one another’s humanity.
“Israel is responsible for its own crimes. That responsibility does not extend to Jewish people around the world and certainly not to those who are standing up to say that this is not in their name.” – Craig Mokhiber
“We want to see justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators, but we want it to be done peacefully. And what are the peaceful means? We have legal action, we have political action, we have mass mobilizations, we have divestments, we have boycotts.” – Craig Mokhiber
Guest
Craig Mokhiber: Human Rights Lawyer, Former Senior United Nations Official
Portions of this interview are featured in our episode, “Israel, Hamas & Universal Human Rights: Former UN Official Craig Mokhiber Describes Path Forward”.
Note: Letter signed by 40+ White House & EOP interns for Palestine to President Biden & Vice President Harris: Read Here
Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes:
• Josh Paul’s Breaking Point: Resigns State Dept. Over Arms to Israel, Watch / Download-Podcast / Full Uncut Conversation Related Commentary, F-Word: Read Here
• Sonali Kolhatkar: “Rising Up” for Social Justice, With YES! Magazine, Watch / Download-Podcast / Full Uncut Conversation
• The Mad Military Money Machine Watch / Listen-download Podcast
• GRITtv: Roundtable on Racism: Will the UN Report Make A Difference?: Craig Mokhiber & Damon Hewitt, Watch
Related Articles and Resources:
• United Nations – Observances: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights turns 75 on December 10, 2023, Human Rights Day Read Here
• UN General Assembly resolution 260 A (III) of 9 December 1948 – Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, Read Here
• The Weaponization of Human Rights at the Human Rights Council, by Alfred De Zayas, Counter Punch, Read Here
• The Dangerous History Behind Netanyahu’s Amalek Rhetoric, by Noah Lanard, November 3, 2023, Mother Jones, Read Here
Featured ‘Music in the Middle’ of the Podcast:
“Funk 4 Peace” by Fort Knox Five from their album Radio Free DC courtesy of Fort Know Recordings. Listen & Learn More Here
Related Episodes, Articles, Uncut Conversations and More
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