Denis Halliday
Encyclopedia
Denis J. Halliday was the United Nations
Humanitarian Coordinator
in Iraq
from September 1, 1997, until 1998. He is Irish
and holds an M.A. in Economics, Geography and Public Administration from Trinity College, Dublin
.
A 34-year veteran of the UN, Halliday resigned in 1998 over the economic sanctions
imposed on Iraq, characterizing them as "genocide
". He subsequently gave the following explanation of his decision to resign:
In 2003 Denis Halliday was presented with the Gandhi International Peace Award in recognition of his work drawing attention to the plight of Iraqis. In 2007 he presented the same award to the website, Media Lens, whose co-founder David Edwards
had interviewed Halliday in May 2000 about his work in Iraq. In 2009 Denis Halliday agreed to become a Patron of the Gandhi Foundation
, and he presented the annual peace award to the Children's Legal Centre.
On October 25, 2007, Halliday, Harold Pinter
and John Pilger
had a letter printed in the Daily Telegraph in which they condemned the "celebration of [former British Prime Minister] David Lloyd George's
legacy" (following the unveiling of a statue in Westminster
in his honour) as "disgraceful", likening his policies of aerial bombardment of Middle East
ern countries to the present day war in Iraq.
Since leaving the UN, Denis Halliday has been involved with a number of peace initiatives such as Perdana, founded by the Malaysian ex-President Mahathir Mohammed.
Denis Halliday was on-board the humanitarian ship the MV Rachel Corrie en route to Gaza
. In a statement released by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign
, Mr. Halliday said:
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Humanitarian Coordinator
Humanitarian Coordinator
The Humanitarian Coordinator is the senior-most United Nations official in a country experiencing a humanitarian emergency. The Humanitarian Coordinator is appointed by the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator when a new emergency occurs or an existing humanitarian situation "worsens in...
in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
from September 1, 1997, until 1998. He is Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and holds an M.A. in Economics, Geography and Public Administration from Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
.
A 34-year veteran of the UN, Halliday resigned in 1998 over the economic sanctions
Iraq sanctions
The Iraq sanctions were a near-total financial and trade embargo imposed by the United Nations Security Council on the nation of Iraq. They began August 6, 1990, four days after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, stayed largely in force until May 2003 , and certain portions including reparations to Kuwait...
imposed on Iraq, characterizing them as "genocide
Genocide
Genocide is defined as "the deliberate and systematic destruction, in whole or in part, of an ethnic, racial, religious, or national group", though what constitutes enough of a "part" to qualify as genocide has been subject to much debate by legal scholars...
". He subsequently gave the following explanation of his decision to resign:
In 2003 Denis Halliday was presented with the Gandhi International Peace Award in recognition of his work drawing attention to the plight of Iraqis. In 2007 he presented the same award to the website, Media Lens, whose co-founder David Edwards
David Edwards (journalist)
David Edwards is a British political writer who specializes in the analysis of corporate media. He is co-editor of the Media Lens website....
had interviewed Halliday in May 2000 about his work in Iraq. In 2009 Denis Halliday agreed to become a Patron of the Gandhi Foundation
Gandhi Foundation
The Gandhi Foundation is a United Kingdom-based voluntary organisation which seeks to further the work of Mahatma Gandhi through a variety of educational events and activities.- History :...
, and he presented the annual peace award to the Children's Legal Centre.
On October 25, 2007, Halliday, Harold Pinter
Harold Pinter
Harold Pinter, CH, CBE was a Nobel Prize–winning English playwright and screenwriter. One of the most influential modern British dramatists, his writing career spanned more than 50 years. His best-known plays include The Birthday Party , The Homecoming , and Betrayal , each of which he adapted to...
and John Pilger
John Pilger
John Richard Pilger is an Australian journalist and documentary maker, based in London. He has twice won Britain's Journalist of the Year Award, and his documentaries have received academy awards in Britain and the US....
had a letter printed in the Daily Telegraph in which they condemned the "celebration of [former British Prime Minister] David Lloyd George's
David Lloyd George
David Lloyd George, 1st Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor OM, PC was a British Liberal politician and statesman...
legacy" (following the unveiling of a statue in Westminster
Westminster
Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross...
in his honour) as "disgraceful", likening his policies of aerial bombardment of Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
ern countries to the present day war in Iraq.
Since leaving the UN, Denis Halliday has been involved with a number of peace initiatives such as Perdana, founded by the Malaysian ex-President Mahathir Mohammed.
Denis Halliday was on-board the humanitarian ship the MV Rachel Corrie en route to Gaza
Gaza journey of MV Rachel Corrie
The Cambodian-flagged Irish MV Rachel Corrie was part of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla that sailed to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid in 2010. The ship was unable to join the other six ships in the flotilla because of mechanical problems that forced it to undergo repairs in Malta...
. In a statement released by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Palestine Solidarity Campaign
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign is a campaign in the United Kingdom promoting solidarity with the Palestinian people. It was founded in 1982 during the build-up to Israel's invasion of Lebanon.The campaign states:...
, Mr. Halliday said:
See also
- United Nations Security Council Resolution 986United Nations Security Council Resolution 986United Nations Security Council Resolution 986, adopted unanimously on April 14, 1995, after reaffirming all resolutions on Iraq and noting the serious humanitarian situation with the Iraqi civilian population, the Council, acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, established a...
- Campaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in IranCampaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in IranCampaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in Iran is a group of academics, students and professionals of Iranian and non-Iranian backgrounds formed to oppose sanctions on Iran by the United States.-History:...
- Sanctions against IranSanctions against IranThis article outlines economic, trade, scientific and military sanctions against Iran, which have been imposed by the U.S. government, or under U.S. pressure by the international community through the United Nations Security Council...
Further reading
- Hadani Ditmars. Salon interview, March 2002
- Denis Halliday. Gandhi International Peace Award acceptance speech, January 30, 2003
- Denis Halliday & Hans von SponeckHans von SponeckHans Christof Graf von Sponeck was born 1939 in Bremen, Germany, the son of Hans Graf von Sponeck. He served as a UN Assistant Secretary-General and UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq. In 1957 he was one of the first conscientious objectors in the Federal Republic of Germany...
. Hostage Nation, November 29, 2001 - Amira Howeidy. Death for Oil - an Interview with Denis Halliday, July 19, 2000
- Rob Kennedy. Sanctioned genocide: Was 'the price' of disarming Iraq worth it?, DPADeutsche Presse-AgenturDeutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH is a news agency founded in 1949 in Germany. Based in Hamburg, it has grown to be a major worldwide operation serving print media, radio, television, online, mobile phones, and national news agencies. News is available in German, English, Spanish, and Arabic.The DPA...
, 10 June 2003 - Richard Roth (a CNN Anchor). CNN interview, March 19, 2004
- NewsnightNewsnightNewsnight is a BBC Television current affairs programme noted for its in-depth analysis and often robust cross-examination of senior politicians. Jeremy Paxman has been its main presenter for over two decades....
; BBC on 25 October 2007.