|
{mosimage}28th February 2008
To: The public meeting organised by the SPHR and MMPJ The Freedom of Expression Institute has been following with interest the events surrounding the banning of the use of the term “Israeli Apartheid” on the McMaster University campus. While such incidents no longer shock us, we are still not beyond being disgusted when they do occur. That we live in dangerous times is confirmed by the manner in which a number of universities in the USA routinely violate academic freedom and freedom of expression on their campuses. It is concerning that this is becoming a trend in Canada as well.
Nevertheless, banning the use of a term like “Israeli apartheid” approaches the ridiculous. Sadly, this episode indicates that certain figures in the McMaster University administration have no understanding of freedom of expression. The comment by Human Rights & Equity is an example: with religious fervour, their email declares “unacceptable” the use of the term “Israeli Apartheid”. No reasons need be given; preventing criticism of Israel is, after all, dogma that must be adhered to. Then, amusingly, the email declares that “this phrase is in violation of the university's efforts to ensure that all people will be treated with dignity and tolerance.”
Dignity and tolerance are very important to human relationships. And the right to dignity is recognised by most people as a fundamental human right. But this right is too easily resorted to or manipulated in order to suppress people’s free expression rights. That resort becomes extreme when the user feels that simply using the word dignity is sufficient to restrict free expression – as in this case. We are not convinced by your Provost’s denial that the term “Israeli Apartheid” had been banned. There seems to be clear evidence that such a banning was both intended and carried out. Our experience is that in large institutions such as universities, such confusion is often created in order to effectively stifle free expression. While a situation is created where no one can be blamed for banning an expression (because everyone denies having done so), those who wish to express themselves ultimately censor themselves because of the lack of clarity and fearing the consequences. Thus, the expression is effectively censored with no one taking responsibility for the censorship. Today’s public meeting is an indication that students at McMaster won’t allow themselves to be fooled in this manner.
Clearly, many Zionists will be offended by the term “Israeli Apartheid”. But the constitutions and laws of many nations guarantee free expression precisely in order to protect expression that offends. In any event, there is nothing wrong with offending those who want to uphold or support an offensive and obnoxious system. Indeed, those of us who struggled against apartheid in the past (and continue to do so today) believe that giving such offence is not only a right but a duty. We repeatedly offended the architects and supporters of Apartheid, and we expect that Palestinians and Palestinian solidarity activists will do the same – as it is their right to do. The FXI expresses its support for the SPHR and the MMPJ in your attempts to realise your free expression rights, and we condemn the tactics used by the Provost and other sections of the university administration to trample on these rights in order to allow only sanitised and “acceptable” criticism of the Israeli apartheid state. Please circulate this letter as you deem fit and keep us informed of developments. We feel strongly about this issue and are prepared to mobilize our considerable supporters in South Africa and globally in defence of the SPHR and MMPJ.
Jane Duncan
Executive Director Street Address: 21st Floor Sable Centre
41 De Korte Street
Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Postal Address: PO Box 30668
Braamfontein 2017
South Africa
Tel: +27 11 403-8403
Fax: +27 11 339-4109
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.fxi.org.za
|
