US returns to the human rights ball game

[Francois Cellier]

From SwissInfo

US returns to the human rights ball game

Pamela Taylor
InfoSud Human Rights Tribune/swissinfo.ch
September 14, 2009 - 12:54 PM


A new era starts on Monday at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva: for the first time the United States is attending as a fully fledged member.

Until now it had simply been an observer watching from the sidelines. But the presence of US Undersecretary of State for International Organizations Esther Brimmer should send a message that under the administration of Barack Obama the US is back in the ball game.

The attendance of Brimmer, a member of the US delegation to the former UN Commission on Human Rights, may allay disappointment that the US has not yet appointed a new permanent representative to Geneva.

There are some who would even like to see the appointment of a separate US ambassador to the Human Rights Council much as there is a separate one for the World Trade Organization (WTO), on the grounds this would send a stronger message about US intentions.

That decision will be up to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Michael Posner, Obama's nomination to head the State Department's Human Rights bureau when and if he is confirmed by the Senate in coming weeks.


Change of heart

Under the Bush administration, the US chose not to participate in the Human Rights Council on the grounds that it was dominated by countries like Cuba, Egypt and Pakistan, which it regarded as notorious human rights violators, who focused exclusively on violations by Israel.

The Obama administration on the other hand, has taken the view that the US cannot exercise leadership in a group to which it does not belong. The election in May of the US as a new Council member may not alter the political makeup of the 47-member body but it has sent a positive signal to human rights defenders around the world.


"Not enough"

"It's not enough for the US to stand up and apologise for Guantanamo," said Adrien-Claude Zoller of the group Geneva for Human Rights.

"It is US policy that must change – toward countries like Egypt and Pakistan.

"The problem is that Egypt is a key player in the US effort to resolve the Middle East crisis and Pakistan is perceived as a US ally in the war in Afghanistan. As long as this remains so, human rights violations in both countries will be overlooked."

Rashid Mesli of the Geneva-based NGO, Alkarama, which denounces human rights violations in the Arab world, agrees. He fears the US is too conciliatory toward dictators.

"[Egyptian President Hosni] Mubarak's reception in Washington was very disappointing to us. People know their dictators are backed financially and otherwise by the West and remain in power thanks to the West. So Obama's words have given us great hope but it remains to be seen what actions he will take."


Winds of change

But William Shultz of the Center for American Progress believes the winds of change are already blowing.

Shultz, a former executive director of Amnesty International USA, cites President Obama's address to the Muslim world during a visit to Cairo in June, the appointment of a representative for Muslim Affairs and the decisions to close Guantanamo and outlaw torture.

"Of course Obama is under pressure to focus on issues that are paramount to Americans right now, health care, the economy, our presence in Afghanistan," he said. "But I would argue that human rights affect all those issues and the US cannot achieve its strategic goals by ignoring human rights."

In any case, says Zoller, "change won't happen in Geneva. It will happen in Washington with Secretary of State Clinton speaking directly to those countries violating human rights and putting pressure directly on them."

Another way to do this, Zoller believes, is to put pressure on Switzerland to make it easier for victims of human rights violations to come to Geneva and testify before open council sessions.

"One of the main problems facing the council today is the absence of actual victims. Fewer and fewer local NGOs are coming from Africa, South America and Muslim countries."

[Mr.Sillypants]

The idea that America is going to take a leading role in human rights would be hilarious if it
were not for the trail of death, torture and injustice which they leave in their wake.

Other than America, no nation on earth has done more to erode and damage international human rights in our
time ,except Britain.

Perhaps they should first agree to be bound by Human Rights Legislation, before they take a role in
implementing them. Unless their intention was to destroy the power of the courts altogether. That can only
be done from the inside. They have already achieved half this goal by 'reforming' (weakening) the human
rights system. Where it was once possible for any person to bring a case against their own government
on human rights grounds , it is now no longer possible to do so. Thanks to the 'reforms' , the human rights
courts are no longer accessible to people who have had their human rights abused ! The courts are no longer
interested in any silly nonsense about human rights.

[clownboy]

In OUR time? I thought you were in your fifties? That "human rights system" you go on about, the Americans and the British are directly responsible for creating it in the first place. You want to point your finger, in our time (as well as before our time), the Dutch.

Before our time they were the major trafficers of slavery, opium (yes with the Brits), and anything that robbed others of freedom and put money in their pocket. In our time - oil and money.

But let's not forget the Chinese, the Russians (have you forgotten the USSR?), the freakin Taliban, any of the drug trade nations.

[Lucas]

Originally Posted by Mr.Sillypants

The idea that America is going to take a leading role in human rights would be hilarious if it
were not for the trail of death, torture and injustice which they leave in their wake.

Other than America, no nation on earth has done more to erode and damage international human rights in our
time ,except Britain.

Perhaps they should first agree to be bound by Human Rights Legislation, before they take a role in
implementing them. Unless their intention was to destroy the power of the courts altogether. That can only
be done from the inside. They have already achieved half this goal by 'reforming' (weakening) the human
rights system. Where it was once possible for any person to bring a case against their own government
on human rights grounds , it is now no longer possible to do so. Thanks to the 'reforms' , the human rights
courts are no longer accessible to people who have had their human rights abused ! The courts are no longer
interested in any silly nonsense about human rights.

Yeah, have to call bullshit on this. The US played a huge part in developing the whole system. Talk about a fucked up perspective.

[Zan de Man]

You can try. The US role in the world has changed immeasurably for the worse since Eleanor Roosevelt.

[clownboy]

Originally Posted by Zan de Man

You can try. The US role in the world has changed immeasurably for the worse since Eleanor Roosevelt.

Remarkable person, and yet in later life she virulantly opposed the Equal Rights Amendment. A perfect example of the perfect being the enemy of the good.

[Mr.Sillypants]

Clownboy and Lucas,

Oh shit. I nearly pissed myself laughing when i read your posts.

ok, so lets use the United Nations Universal Declaration Of Human rights as a bit of a
sounding - board (thats "sounding - board" NOT "water - board") to test your theory
that America complies with human rights legislation. We will use the UN. U.H.D.H.R.
because it is vaguely connected to the issue -


Article 1.

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason
and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. - FAIL

Article 2.

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without
distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion,
national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be
made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory
to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any
other limitation of sovereignty. - FAIL

Article 3.

Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. - FAIL

Article 4.

No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited
in all their forms. - FAIL

Article 5.

No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
- FUCKING MONUMENTAL, HISTORICAL FAIL

Article 6.

Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law. - FAIL

Article 7.

All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection
of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this
Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination. - FAIL

Article 8.

Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts
violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law. - FAIL

Article 9.

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile. - FAIL

Article 10.

Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and
impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge
against him. - FAIL

Article 11.

(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until
proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary
for his defence. - FAIL

(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which
did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was
committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time
the penal offence was committed. - FAIL

Article 12.

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or
correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the
protection of the law against such interference or attacks. - FAIL

Article 13.

(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state. -
FAIL

(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country. - FAIL

Article 14.

(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution. - FAIL

(2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political
crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations. - FAIL

Article 15.

(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality. - FAIL

(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his
nationality. - FAIL

Article 16.

(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion,
have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage,
during marriage and at its dissolution. - FAIL

(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses. - FAIL

(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection
by society and the State. - FAIL

Article 17.

(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others. - FAIL

(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property. - FAIL

Article 18.

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes
freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others
and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
- FAILLLLLL

Article 19.

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to
hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through
any media and regardless of frontiers. - FAIL

Article 20.

(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. - FAIL

(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association. - FAIL

Article 21.

(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through
freely chosen representatives. - FAIL

(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country. - FAILL

(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be
expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and
shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures. - FAIL

Article 22.

Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization,
through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and
resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity
and the free development of his personality. - FAIL

Article 23.

(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable
conditions of work and to protection against unemployment. - FAIL

(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work. - FAIL

(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself
and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other
means of social protection. - FAIL

(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests. - FAIL

Article 24.

Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and
periodic holidays with pay. - FAIL

Article 25.

(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of
himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social
services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood,
old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control. - FAIL

(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether
born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection. - FAIL

Article 26.

(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and
fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional
education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to
all on the basis of merit. - FAIL

(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the
strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding,
tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities
of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace. - FAIL

(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children. -
FAIL

Article 27.

(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the
arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits. - FAIL

(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any
scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author. - FAIL

Article 28.

Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set
forth in this Declaration can be fully realized. - FAIL

Article 29.

(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his
personality is possible. - FAIL

(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations
as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights
and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general
welfare in a democratic society. - FAIL

(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and
principles of the United Nations. - FAIL

Article 30.

Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any
right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and
freedoms set forth herein. - FAIL

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh dear. zero out of thirty.

Ok , lets look at drugs. We'll take heroin and cocaine as an example -

1) Cocaine - Comes from a Columbian cartel , headed by Uribe, which is a terrorist-narco state,
conceived by, funded by, propped up by, armed and trained by - The United States of America.

Ooooops.

2) Heroin - Comes from Afghan cartel , headed by Karzai , which is a terrorist-narco state
conceived by, funded by, propped up by, armed and trained by - The United States of America.

Oh dear.

Your CIA is an overt terrorist organisation, your military are trigger-happy mass murderers who
have butchered hundreds of thousands of civilians, there are destitute beggars on your streets,
black people who's vote was thrown away, oppresive, fascist legislation denying your civil
liberties, institutional racism, you fucking kill people for committing crimes, you are still trying
to exterminate your indigenous population and on and on and on.

Your country has been responsible for overthrowing more elected governments and installing
puppet dictators in more countries than the nazi's and communists combined.

Your country is the biggest threat to human rights on earth.

Your country is fascist because YOU do not demand better from your leaders. You just sit drooling
in front of the moron - o - scope , singing the national anthem and ignoring the reality.

"If fascism ever came to the United States,
it would be wrapped in an American flag."
-Huey Long

Your country is the biggest threat to human rights on earth.

.

[Lucas]

Wow. Let's alert the PRC, they'll be relieved.

[Bateman]

1) Cocaine - Comes from a Columbian cartel , headed by Uribe, which is a terrorist-narco state,
conceived by, funded by, propped up by, armed and trained by - The United States of America.

Ooooops.

2) Heroin - Comes from Afghan cartel , headed by Karzai , which is a terrorist-narco state
conceived by, funded by, propped up by, armed and trained by - The United States of America.

Well... that's respecting my right to get high, yeah? So America cares about my rights..

You should list at least one clear example for every failure to comply with an article. Just typing 'fail' is a bit cheap imo.