Our Readers' Opinions
February 25, 2011
INSENSITIVE ?

25.FEB.11

Editor: Was it not a bit insensitive to have our acting Director of the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) receiving a cheque for hurricane relief from the Ambassador of Libya, even while several of its other Ambassadors were resigning because of the government’s handling of the democracy protests there?{{more}}

The international news media, of different stripes and persuasions, were reporting on the bloodshed in Libya, while we were expressing gratitude for the cheque.

Now, I accept that disaster relief should not be influenced by politics, but in this case, is it not a matter of human rights and dignity? One can agree or disagree with the politics of the Libyan government. That is our individual right. Surely, though, the issue of respect for human rights is fundamental and universal.

It just didn’t seem right to me that we should have been receiving the emissary and his cheque at that time. We could be giving the wrong message and must have the courage to let our friends know if we disapprove of their actions.

Renwick Rose