Open Apology to Dasantha Pillay the current President of Amnesty International Wits Chapter
by Ilan Solomons on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 11:26am
(This note is prompted by a conversation I had with Ms Dasantha Pillay last night (17november 2009). Dasantha felt offended that in my previous note regarding the findings of the Budlender report. I wrote that the report clearly had proven that the PSA, PSC and the President of Amnesty international Wits Chapter had lied. She took issue with the fact that I mentioned her specifically, and thus implying that she was the sole agent of the AIWITS, complaint and allegations. It was a vote by the entire executive of AIWITS that decided to lay the complaint according to Dasantha.
Now let me give you some background to my personal ‘relationship’ or interactions with Ms Pillay. I always tried my hardest to accommodate her and her organization when I was on the Wits SRC as clubs and societies officer. I personally have issues with AI as an organization for various reasons, namely their unfair treatment of the Jewish State. But this aside as an objective member of the SRC and because of basic values of integrity I at no point tried to interfere or stifle the activities of either PSC Wits or AIWITS, which I am sure their respective leaderships can attest to. Although I have had major issues with these organizations when I served the SAUJS Wits political Officer, which is no secret!
How ever back to the matter at hand. Dasantha was clearly upset and personally insulted that I singled her out by name or implication. She maintains that her intensions were in no way motivated by her personal political views, and that all decisions taken with regards to all activities regarding Israel and the Limmud saga were as a result of consensus. I have to also mention that we had a personal fall out when she took offence to me tagging her in specific notes, even after she warned me not to. Which I note and have apologized before on several occasions previously to this, and have tried with out success for her to re – add me, for what ever reason. As I really find her interesting to engage with as she has clear value for human rights which I respect highly.
She claims not to have purposely avoided working with SAUJS in the past, and that she has no problem in collaborating in joint activities. She also denies having turned down invites to SAUJS events – which we open to people of all faiths and creeds – based on any prejudices against the organization. And did agree to attend any SAUJS event or affiliated event in the future as long as it does not put her in an uncomfortable position, i.e. clashes with any of her ideals of justice and morality, and if the invite is done with thorough notice!
It is in this light that I apologize for singling out Dasantha personally, and questioning her integrity. It is not fair to target individuals, in a specific organization, in such a public forum without giving them the right to respond.
I hope this note clearly sets the record straight that Dasantha does not run AIWITS as law unto herself, which I have implied previously, and that Dasantha does not harbour any ill feelings to the Jewish community, and is willing to work with it.
I hope that Ms Pillay accepts my full and unequivocal apology for the blackening of her name and reputation, and that she recovers from the emotional pain that I may have caused her as a result!
Yours sincerely,
Ilan Solomons
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