South Africa chooses commerce over human rights

Follow the leader, courtyard, Cathedral de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Breaking news 1 p.m.: The peace conference has been called off, due to South Africa blocking the Dalai Lama from attending, BBC News reports.

Both South Africa and Tibet have suffered for decades at the hands of brutal oppressors. So it is with considerable dismay that the world witnesses a defiant South Africa choosing commerce over human rights, much like its government during the dark decades of apartheid. During that time, South Africa suffered organised boycotts and was ostracised by the international community.

The current South African government is apparently willing to accept its new indentured servitude - this time, to China. The government's action certainly doesn't bode well for it hosting the 2010 World Cup.

South Africa is bowing to Chinese demands to refuse entry to the Dalai Lama for a peace conference beginning Friday, March 27th. Both Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former South African President F.W. de Klerk have announced they will boycott the event, if the Dalai Lama is forbidden from attending.

Yet the South African government persists in its unprincipled stance, while the Chinese government freely admits it pressured South Africa to exclude the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader. Further, the Chinese government has announced it will oppose any nation's overtures to meet with the Dalai Lama.

They've forgotten their history,
this ignorant new government
struck blind by greed.
Unaccustomed to power
after decades of none,
they close their eyes
to the consequences
and agree to all terms
and conditions spelled out
by the lenders and investors.

This fledgling government,
still unused to the ways of politics,
stifles any thought of the oppressed
and risks its reputation
for a brand new bank and ongoing servitude
to a demanding Chinese host
who exports injustice, along with investment,
denying human rights to one nation,
while insisting others do the same,
lest the coffers slam shut.

Comments

[Chris]

This disgusts me. I horrified every single time. We all know that China is gaining more power and no one has the balls to do anything about it. There's no willingness for any of us spoiled people to sacrifice, and do we think our leaders are going to do so? No. And by sacrifice, I mean, not letting fear dictate. Even refusing to buy goods made in China seems completely unthinkable to my friends. WHY? Is it really SO important to have a spool of ribbon? A stuffed toy? I'm appalled at the blinders we wear.

[Tara Bradford]

Excellent point, Lois.

[Tara Bradford]

The country of China is beautiful and its people are in general, hard-working and kind. But the Chinese government - and how it forcefully imposes its will on Taiwan and Tibet - and sometimes on its own citizens - is quite another story. Lucky you, to see the Dalai Lama speak. He is so inspiring. Of course, Buddhism is non-violent. So why does the Chinese government fear the Buddhists in Tibet? Sigh. Much love to you. xoxox

[Tara Bradford]

The puzzling thing is that South Africans were also furious about their government's stance - but the government refused to bend, obviously more concerned about their "trading partner's" dictates than human rights. Thank you, Terri.

[Tara Bradford]

Di, you're absolutely right. And in a response to another commenter, I wrote about how Western manufacturers are often complicit in inferior products and merchandise coming from China. They seem to think people will accept anything, as long as the price is low.

[Tara Bradford]

I don't understand China's attitude about the Dalai Lama, either. Why are they so threatened by a religious leader? And by Taiwan? China seems to think because of their economic might, they have carte blanche to bully the world around. Of course the US and the UK have been guilty of bullying other nations too, for different reasons. I admire the Dalai Lama and his serenity, despite all the suffering.

[Tara Bradford]

Dawn, thank you. I think the ANC government in So Africa has a lot to answer for. I don't buy products from China when I can avoid it. A French friend recently went to the US on holiday and came back lamenting that nearly everything she picked up was stamped "made in China." Of course, part of the fault lies with the US manufacturers, who order the cheap and inferior materials used by China in producing goods. They seem to think Americans will buy anything if the price is low enough. Case in point, Nine West. Their shoes and handbags were once produced in Brazil or Spain, of quality leather. Now it's all cheap tat, made in China. They didn't lower their prices; they just lowered the quality of their products. Thanks for the YouTube link.

[MiddleAgedWomanBlogging]

Gillian, you are absolutely right. It is fear that leads them. As for Africa, or any other place or person of poverty, would they not sell their soul for one small crumb? I would like to think they would not, but I have not walked in their shoes.

[Gillian daSilva]

China gave Yoli some beautiful children.
But...
there are things I don't like about China.

I saw the Dalai Lama speak publicly once.
I will never, ever forget it. He is so gentle. So wise.

Fear keeps people in that state, they need to embrace the values, the ideologies...see what happens. Why are they so afraid?

xoxo
Love you!

[tinker]

How incredibly sad that they should choose the almighty dollar over peace and human rights. It does hearten me a little, that enough other countries were withdrawing because of their decision that they did ultimately go ahead and cancel - when I first read about it, it seemed they might go on, anyway. Kudos to those who refused to participate - and to you, Tara, for continuing to shine the light!xo

[Di]

Did you read about this: http://a-mother-from-gaza.blogspot.com/2009/03/goodbye-moto-goodbye-apartheid.html

[Di]

You know, I'm seeing this greed-based decision-making in so many countries. They don't mind poisoned milk and tainted blood products and various other cost-cut corners that make the end result dangerous sometimes ... it's all about making the dollar go that much further.

I'm disgusted. And South Africa ... shame on them. You know they banned the Maori All Black team because it was team decided based on race? Okay, well and good when one considers their recent past, political correctness gone crazy but what a backward greedy about-face they made for China.

[Cheryl de los Reyes Cruz]

The sad thing is there's no reason China has to treat the Dalai Lama and Tibet that way. He's willing to work with them. He also says he feels compassion for China because what they're doing now will only hurt them eventually. I have to believe that, that what the Dalai Lama is doing is more powerful than the bullying tactics of the Chinese government, because otherwise the continuing bad news can feel overwhelming.

[Dawn]

This sickens me. South Africa of all places. My irony-meter just blew up. China is such a bully. I boycott their products whenever I have the opportunity.

BTW, for those who have not seen it yet, I recommend "10 Questions for the Dalai Lama": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvAwtI6u_xQ

Oh and I love your geese photo. Most fitting.

[tangobaby]

I guess we need to look in the mirror. How are other countries different in bending to China's will, including ours?

[Colette]

The tragedy is not that history is "forgotten" but that it is deliberately shoved under the carpet for economic gain. South Africa is only one country that is doing this. There are precedents....

We must not forget.

[stephanie]

and the South African history is so fresh! Just so sad and hard to believe.

[Tara Bradford]

Se'Lah, thank you. Awareness certainly needs to be raised about human rights violations, wherever they occur in this world.

[Tara Bradford]

You're right, Christina. I just have to wonder what the ANC is thinking? Nobody wins here, except China. From all press accounts, the people of South Africa don't agree with their government's decision. I'm sure Nelson Mandela would never condone this government's decision.

[Tara Bradford]

Sad, but true. But one would think South Africa learned a thing or two from their painful history. It's disheartening to see greed triumph over scruples.

[Tara Bradford]

Apparently, the government doesn't care. Really sad and I feel sorry for the people of South Africa, many who are appalled at their government's recalcitrance.

[Se'Lah]

Thanks for the update and for raising awareness on this subject (which we certainly don't hear in the news everyday).

[Peter]

I'm afraid it will only get worse as the economic crisis deepens.

Human rights in many nations will disappear into the background to make sure the economy stays afloat.

[dutchbaby]

I am incensed at this news! Does this South African government feel so powerless that they feel they can't stand up to this injustice?

[Christina]

We have seen it before. When a history is forgotten, the future will be filled with past mistakes. No lessons learned here.
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Thank you for keeping us updated on this.