UN could be without human rights watchdog

The BBC is reporting that a session of the UN Human Rights Commission has been suspended for a week amid disagreement over reform plans. The UNHRC normally meets annually to address human rights violations.

But all that may be in jeopardy because of the deadlock over reform plans. The UN could be left without a human rights watchdog for the first time in its 60-year history. [BBC]

The reform plan is to replace the Commission with an elected council that meets three times a year. Only countries with good human rights records could sit on the committee. The plan has the suport of Secretary General Kofi Annan, the European Union, and many Asian and African nations. The US, however, opposes the reforms.

Comments

[Gaijin Biker]

The UN could be left without a human rights watchdog for the first time in its 60-year history.

Well, the plus side to that is we would get to see whether the absence of a UN human rights watchdog has any impact on the state of human rights worldwide.

My prediction: No.

[Gaijin Biker]

Also, it's interesting that the article doesn't say:

(1) what the US objections are. Maybe the US has a legitimate reason to be dissatisfied? As it stands, the article (and your post) implies that the US is just being a jerk because it won't go along with the crowd. We teach children not to do something just because everyone else is doing it, don't we?

(2) whether China supports the plan. Presumably it does not, since the article says it would not be allowed on the council due to its human rights record. Why all the focus on the US and none on China?

[almostinfamous]

The US, however, opposes the reforms.

big fat surprise there. what is astonishing is that we still have a UN, despite the presence of John FM Bolton(the FM stands for Fugly Moustache), unilateralist extraordinaire.

[Steve LaBonne]

If only countries with a good human rights record get to sit on the committee. perhaps it's occurred to these asshats that under their misrule the US doesn't qualiy?

[John]

They might be without a human rights watchdog, but as long as John Bolton's there they'll still have a junkyard dog. Who's been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Someone tell me this isn't the End of Days.

[R. Mildred]

Why all the focus on the US and none on China?

Maybe because the blogger isn't living in New York City, China?

Well, the plus side to that is we would get to see whether the absence of a UN human rights watchdog has any impact on the state of human rights worldwide.

Yup, nothing like having all the abusese of human rights going unnoticed, it'll make it easier to sleep.
The UNHRC raises red flags and points to incidents that need attention and possible action.

Your morality is your morality.

[JohnPatrickBurns]

Sorry, but it appears that China is on board as well as all members of the NAM:

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=32463

[squashed]

Sometimes I wonder how the conversation in that meeting actually sounds like. I would imagine the essence would be downright infantile near name calling. (you human right violator you. Oh shut up. Abu Ghraib, abu ghraib. Hey, want me to sanction you. Oh try me, I'll blow your oil deal and make you beg. sucker ... ad infinitum)

I for one, think the entire idea 'human right comission' is represented by 'country's diplomat is the MOST dubious idea.

It should be independent comission. Anonymous and secret once elected and start their work. So nobody can bully them.

[Lindsay Beyerstein]

Actually, China http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-03/14/content_4299867.htm>supports the plan.

[Gaijin Biker]

Hmm. It's certainly interesting that China supports the formation of a council it won't be allowed to sit on. (Maybe it's decided the whole thing is irrelevant, so why make a big deal out of it?)

Meanwhile, I'd still like to know what the US's objections actually are.

[Left_Wing_Fox]

I get the feeling that It's more politically useful to whine to the Birchers in the base about Libya being on the Human rights commission than to actually DO anything about it.

[squashed]

UN creates new rights council over US objections

vote no: US, Israel and Marshall islands & Palau (total wtf moment)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060315/pl_nm/rights_un_usa_dc

NITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The
United Nations General Assembly created a new U.N. human rights body by an overwhelming majority on Wednesday, ignoring objections from the United States.

Ambassadors broke out in sustained applause when the vote was announced: 170-4 with 3 abstentions. Joining the United States in a "no" vote were
Israel, Marshall Islands and Palau -- but not American allies in Europe or Canada.