UK to attend UN anti-racism conference
The UK will attend the UN anti-racism conference in Geneva
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Sunday, 19, Apr 2009 05:56
The UK will be attending the UN's anti-racism conference in Geneva on Monday despite fears the event will be used as a platform for anti-Israeli views.
Many Western countries are concerned that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's president, will use his speech on Monday at the conference to criticise Israel, and several are refusing to attend in protest.
In the past, Ahmadinejad has dismissed the Holocaust as a "myth" and has called for Israel to be "wiped off the map".
There are also concerns that some Muslim governments will attempt to use the forum to demand a ban on all criticism of Islam, Sharia law and the prophet Muhammad.
The US, Israel, Italy, Canada, Australia, and Holland are all boycotting the event but Britain will still be sending diplomats, despite pressure to stay away.
Conservative shadow Foreign Office minister, David Lidington, said: "After months of dithering the government has finally made a decision to attend the conference, only hours before it starts.
"I do not agree with their decision, especially as the meeting in Geneva looks to be using the same language as the last conference in Durban."
At the UN's first anti-racism conference in South Africa in 2001, 'Durban I', US and Israeli diplomats walked out when some Arab countries attempted to link Zionism and Israel to racism.
Monday also coincides with Holocaust Memorial Day - and Hitler's birthday.
"It is inconceivable to stand in silent tribute to six million dead Jews, while simultaneously giving the podium of Human Rights to a Holocaust denier who seeks to eradicate six million live Jews in Israel," Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center said.