Tote Kinder bei der Rallye Budapest-Bamako, oder doch nicht?

Last Updated on Wednesday, 11 May 2011 00:10 Tuesday, 10 May 2011 23:14

Viele haben sich darüber aufgeregt und die Nachricht, bei der Rallye Budapest-Bamako seien zwei Kinder überfahren worden, anstandslos verbreitet. Weder TAZ noch RLS (die den Artikel von hier hat) noch die Annalistin haben sich offenbar die Mühe gemacht ein Statement des Organisators der Rallye, Andrew Szabo, oder vielleicht sogar der senegalisischen Behörden einzuholen.

 

Stillschweigend wird davon ausgegangen, und das ist gerade in "linken" Kreisen doch einigermassen verwunderlich, dass es sich beim Senegal um ein Land handelt, in dem bei einer Grossveranstaltung die Teilnehmer Unfälle verursachen und dann Fahrerflucht begehen können, ohne dass die Behörden davon etwas mitbekommen. Ebenso schien auch der Organisator der Rallye unwissend; er hielt die Vorwürfe schlicht für falsch. Dies wäre umso ungeschickter, sollten sich die Vorwürfe doch bestätigen. Bis zu diesem Tag konnte ich jedoch in den einschlägigen Medien keine weiteren Berichte zu diesem durchaus justiziablen Vorfall erblicken (man möge mich berichtigen, sollte ich unzureichend recherchiert haben). Weder Dementis noch eine Bestätigung. Die "linke" Netzlandschaft hatte ihren Aufreger, die bösen Rallyefahrer hatten die armen Neger 'mal wieder ausgebeutet, die Welt ist schlecht. Das mag sein, ändert aber nichts daran, dass die Rallyefahrer offenbar doch keine Kinder totgefahren haben. Mit letzter Sicherheit vermag ich das nicht zu sagen. Dennoch möchte ich, leicht verspätet, die folgende e-Mail-Kommunikation mit Andrew Szabo veröffentlichen um eine weitere Perspektive zu geben.

 

Um es gleich vorweg zu nehmen: Herr Szabo ist von der Rechercheleistung der TAZ alles andere als begeistert, hält die Anwürfe im Video für falsch, die beiden Männer die behaupten es seien Kinder getötet worden für Lügner, und die ganze Aktion für eine Propagandakampagne. Was soll er auch sonst sagen...

 

e-Mail Kommunikation vom 09.02.2011 mit Andrew Szabo, Organisator Rallye Budapest-Bamako

 

"The information is incorrect. Nobody has been killed.

Nobody has been involved in any accident in which local people have been hurt.
Taz.de based this information on a highly questionable YouTube video and not by contacting the authorities in Senegal
or the people causing the accident. This is the worst form of news reporting.
This is a hoax. No child was hit by participants of the Budapest-Bamako this year or any year.

If such an accident happened the people would
be brought to justice in accordance with the
laws of the country where the accident happened.
It's really that simple. If you cause an accident the police will investigate.
If you cause a hit and run you are guilty of leaving the scene of the accident without providing help.
You are liable under the laws of the country where you break the law.

We officially requested a correction from the journalist covering the story for taz.de.

Another mistake in the taz.de story is we encourage people to leave the scene of an accident.
This lie is even more upsetting, because the exact opposite is true.
We require every driver to carry liability insurance and treat others with respect.


Here are some quotes from the roadbook:

The liability insurance covers you
if you cause damage to other people in the particular country. Don't expect a hefty
settlement if you hit a tree and total your car! But if you hit a goat, the insurance
company will pay the goat's owner for killing the animal. If you don't know your license
plate yet, you may use the chassis number or the engine number as an identifier. The
certificates can be collected in Budapest before the start.

It is our responsibility as a group and as individuals to make a good impression.
It is also our job to improve the image of white people on a continent, where much of the
current suffering and pain is the result of colonization, slavery and oppression. Avoid
being the arrogant white person. Treat everyone with the same respect that you'd expect
in return. Never forget that they are our hosts and we're their guests.

Let's show respect for other people's cultures, environment and home. For example, if
you'd like to spend the night in a village, always get the permission of the village elders
before you set up your tent. If you ask for directions always follow the greeting protocols
of West Africa (more on that in the Saharan Etiquette section). Chances are that they'll
feel honored that you chose their community. Don't leave garbage! Always dispose of
your trash in the cities. Offer gifts and don't be afraid to express your gratitude. This is
how you can make your journey even more fulfilling. The age of the great white explorers
is over. We’re all part of the same village, we just live in different neighborhoods. "

 

e-Mail Kommunikation vom 10.02.2011 mit Andrew Szabo, Organisator Rallye Budapest-Bamako

 

"I have watched the video several times.

It would be safe to say that

a) they are liars
b) they are retelling stories not based on reality.
c) they might not even be participants of the rally. I most certainly have never met them.
d) they're making up the story.


I have watched the video several times and they are talking about kids
being hit and locals being angry with passing cars. They don't say that
members of the Budapest-Bamako hit the kids. They just says that the
locals threw rocks at them.

Yes, I would even go that far. Yes. Especially when there's a message
that says "shut down rally Budapest-Bamako and all other neo-colonial activities".
This is a propoganda piece and not news reporting. No self respecting journalist
should accept this video as a source without further collaboration.

 
If two children are indeed dead you can't cover that up with money in Senegal!
Senegal is not a banana republic. It's a large and free country with strong press
and well organized government offices. It's the most powerful country in West Africa.
When I was involved in an accident in Senegal we called the police, signed
paperwork exchanged insurance papers and went our ways. The police took a thorough
report. It was a well organized and efficient system of a developed country.
I don't believe that you can cover up the killing of two children in Senegal.
Even the smallest villages have cellphone now in Senegal. Somebody would
most certainly call the police or local authorities if something like this happened.
If someone is dead they have to report it. Even if it's small community the mosque
performs the religious ceremonies. Deaths don't go unnoticed. Not even in Africa.

 

They don't understand the concept or the principles of the rally and see it
as a neo-colonial enterprise. Out of ignorance they see it as the new Dakar.

The Budapest-Bamako is exactly the opposite.

It is not a speed race. It is an orienteering and endurance charity event where
teams have to drive slow and meet the local populations.

Its purpose is to destroy stereotypes and bring the peoples of Africa and Europe
closer. Its purpose is to show people that Africa is not about poverty, civil wars
and diseases. Its goal is to promote socially responsible travel and free
exploration. It's a noble event where people are encouraged to care about the
environment and the local populations we visit. Teams are encouraged to
adopt local villages. These are villages that they visit and bring gifts to improve
the lives of the local population. The Budapest-Bamako is a non-profit organization
that brings 600,000-700,000 Euros worth of aid to Mali and Mauritania each year. "

Das Video

Video eines deutschen Filmteams, aufgenommen während einer Karawane zum/vom Weltsozialforum, vom 29. Januar, auf der Rückfahrt von Nioro du Sahel in Djenna, einem kleinen Rastort etwa 3 Stunden vor Bamako.

Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!

Hmm, doch kein Video, es verstösst gegen Youtubes Nutzungsbedingungen sagt Google/Youtube.