U.N. upholds "dwarf throwing" ban (Who says the UN is worthless)

Reuters ^ | 9/27/02 | Reuters Wire

[TC Rider]

GENEVA (Reuters) - A tiny stuntman who protested against a French ban on the bizarre practice of "dwarf throwing" has lost his case before a U.N. human rights body which said the need to protect human dignity was paramount.

Manuel Wackenheim had argued the 1995 ban by France's highest administrative court was discriminatory and deprived him of a job being hurled around discotheques by burly men.

In a statement on Friday the U.N. Human Rights Committee said it was satisfied "the ban on dwarf-tossing was not abusive but necessary in order to protect public order, including considerations of human dignity". The committee also said the ban "did not amount to prohibited discrimination".

The pastime, imported from the United States and Australia in the 1980s, consists of people throwing tiny stuntmen as far as possible, usually in a bar or discotheque.

The stuntman wears a crash helmet and padded clothing which has handles on the back to facilitate throwing the human projectile.

The Frenchman, who measures 1.14 metre (3 ft 10 inches), filed his case in 1999 with the U.N. committee made up of 18 independent experts who examine states' compliance with the 1976 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

[TC Rider]

I know I'll sleep better tonight.

[Sam Cree]

a U.N. human rights body which said the need to protect human dignity was paramount.

I'm actually speechless.

[thulldud]

"Nobody tosses a dwarf!"

So says Gimli (LotR)

[dead]

We should all throw dwarves at the UN building until we topple it into the East River.

Then we have to buy beers for all the dwarves, to thank them.

[isthisnickcool]

Well, the UN does tend to take care of it's fellow leftist socialists. And besides, Daschle could get hurt.

[areafiftyone]

UN Upholds the ban on Daschle throwing? Jeeze and it was so much fun seeing him land with his foot in his mouth.

[Hacksaw]

So says Gimli (LotR)

That line had the theatre laughing.

[verity]

No more Dwarf Tossing Teams? Merde!

[sharktrager]

"We'll just have to embarass you globally. Your dignity is at stake, after all."

[Drango]

Clearly this will take money out of the hands of Dwarfs who want to be thrown!

And, does this mean you can bowl with 'em? I mean putting 'em on a skateboard and pushin' isn't the same as throwin' is it?

[blau993]

The Frenchman, who measures 1.14 metre (3 ft 10 inches), filed his case in 1999 with the U.N. committee made up of 18 independent experts

What was the average height of the 18 independent experts? I think the little guy should at least be entitled to a jury of his peers.

[Cicero]

Reuters is trying to pretty up this story to make it more politically correct.

It's not dwarf throwing, it's dwarf tossing.

[Dante3]

This has to be a joke. Would the UN would get involved in dwarf tossing?

[joesnuffy]

Next thing you know the UN will outlaw peasant hunting.

[mhking]

"Hold muh beer 'n watch this!" PING....

If you want on or off this list, please let me know!
This has come about after much badgering by you, my friends and extended family...

[dfwgator]

When are they going to address the problem of "cat juggling?"

[Moosefart]

Im sure the little dasshole is happy about this.

[ShadowAce]

LOL!!!

[Drango]

[BlueLancer]

"There is something going on now in Mexico that I happen to think is cruelty to animals. What I'm talking about, of course, is cat juggling."
Steve Martin