Roger Muddies the Waters

In a previous article, I described how singers and musicians have contributed to creating awareness of major challenges we all face. From famine in Africa to women’s and human rights in Iran, artists from all over have contributed to bringing human tragedies to our consciousness. These efforts, today buttressed by social media that adds immediacy to messages, has made us all better aware of the problems that face us thereby making it possible for more of us to play a part in contributing to a resolution.

However, as in all aspects of life, there is always a negative to whatever positive we identify. In this case, there is an artist who has created much controversy over the past few years, and whose comments and interventions have led to propagating misinformation on a variety of issues.

On February 8th, former Pink Floyd musician Roger Waters was invited by Russia to address the United Nations Security Council. My first question is, why did the members if the Security Council allow him to address the body when four of its members could have vetoed Russia’s invitation. 

In his address, Waters said that the Russian invasion of Ukraine “was not unprovoked. So, I also condemn the provocateurs in the strongest possible terms. The only sensible course of action today is to call for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine”. 

Richard Mills, the US deputy ambassador to the UN, told the 15-member Security Council. “We’ve been brought together today once again to hear another version of why Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine is actually the fault of Ukraine or Ukraine’s partners. Or, in Mr Waters words, Ukraine friends who are provocateurs. We unequivocally reject the victim-blaming notion that Ukraine’s self-defence is the obstacle to ending this war. No one wants peace in Ukraine more than Ukrainians themselves. It is Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity that has been violated, not Russia’s”.

In an open letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s wife Olena, Waters wrote “Sadly, your old man agreed to those totalitarian, anti-democratic dismissals of the will of the Ukrainian people, and the forces of extreme nationalism that had lurked, malevolent, in the shadows, have, since then, ruled the Ukraine.” “They have, also since then, crossed any number of red lines that had been set out quite clearly over a number of years by your neighbours the Russian Federation and in consequence they, the extreme nationalists, have set your country on the path to this disastrous war,” he added.

Calling for an immediate ceasefire would allow Russia to keep occupied Ukrainian territory and would legitimize Russia’s claim that it was correct in invading and practically destroying the country. It would give Russian President Vladimir Putin a moral and military victory and lend credence to further territorial claims against other states bordering Russia or having Russian minorities within their borders.

Don’t get me wrong. I strongly support freedom of speech and the right of each to have their own opinions about events or developments. Where I object is when people are given a prestigious public platform from which to spout lies and disinformation the way that Waters did.

What I object to is the United Nations Security Council providing such forum to an apologist for the Russian regime that went against international law and the United Nations Charter that it swore to uphold, especially as a veto-wielding member of that Security Council.

Roger’s muddying of the waters underscores Russia’s contempt for the international community, international law, and human life. It illustrates how artists can willingly or unwillingly intervene in situations about which they are ignorant or willing accomplices.

But, most of all, Waters’ invitation to address the Security Council is another nail in the coffin of the United Nation’s moral and political credibility. This will weaken the organization more as people around the world continue to rally around Ukraine and justice.

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Edición: Laura Espejo