Archive for November, 2007

UN marks two-state anniversary by ceremony slamming Israel

Published by
UN Watch
- at November 30, 2007 in Middle East. 0 Comments

Sixty years ago today, on November 29, 1947, the United Nations voted to create two states, one Arab and one Jewish, out of the former British mandate of Palestine. The world body played an integral role in fashioning the original two-state solution that the international community so desperately seeks today. However, not only did the UN today choose not to celebrate this proud moment, but it actually performed rites of mourning — dutifully organizing annual ceremonies around the globe, as called for under Arab-sponsored resolutions, that somberly commemorated “Palestinian Solidarity Day,” featuring carefully screened speakers who repeatedly slammed Israel.

In Geneva, for example, the UN’s “International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People” saw the UN European Headquarters play host to about 150 people. Following is a brief summary of how co-existence and peace was promoted today at the UN.

Secretary General Ban Ki Moon’s speech was delivered by his Geneva representative. He recalled the “indignities and violence of occupation and conflict” that Palestinians continue to suffer. “The UN has fewer priorities than seeing this conflict resolved. We all know the reasons why the Palestinians have been deprived of their inalienable right to self-determination for 60 years. Palestinian society has been increasingly fragmented – territorially, by settlements, land expropriation and the barrier in the Occupied Palestinian Territories; socially and economically, by closure; and politically, between Gaza and the West Bank.”

“The process must also deliver on the vital interests of Israel: a Palestinian State that is a true partner and not a source of terrorism, secure and recognized borders, and a permanent end of the conflict … Israel faces genuine threats, and Israeli civilians have died and been wounded in rocket attacks… Palestinian civilians have been killed and injured in Israeli military operations.”

He attributed the “grave humanitarian situation” in Gaza to Israeli policies such as restrictions on supplies and movement of people. He called on donors to support the PA to rebuild, reform and perform during the upcoming Paris conference of donors.

Peace, justice and security will only be achieved with the end of the occupation, he said. The secretary-general ended with a statement of solidarity with both the Palestinian people and the Israeli people.

Representative of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable rights of the Palestinian People, Ambassador Victor Camilleri of Malta

Ambassador Camilleri recalled the sufferings, sacrifices and resistance of the Palestinian people in face of adversity having “no similar cases in human history.” Exceptionally for the day’s speakers, he condemned “all attacks, both Israeli and Palestinian, including Palestinian attacks from Gaza.” He also mentioned that the internal breakdown in Gaza has worsened the situation in this territory.
Chairman of Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam of Sri Lanka

Ambassador Kariyawasam listed violations committed by Israel — occupation, confiscation of Palestinian land, construction of the wall, cutting off resources, violation of the 2004 ICJ advisory opinion, incarceration of thousands of Palestinian prisoners including 400 children, military incursions in Gaza, deaths of civilians, denial of access to hospitals, and collective punishment in Gaza. Israeli policies in Gaza led to the complete isolation of the territory since June.

League of Arab States, Ambassador Saad Alfarargi

Ambassador Saad Alfarargi denounced the “ruthless daily attacks by Israel,” its “oppressive policies” vis-à-vis Palestinians and the construction of the “apartheid wall” in violation of the ICJ Advisory Opinion. International organizations including the UN and NGOs constantly report on Israeli practices that led to humanitarian crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. He referred to the report by John Dugard, UN expert on Palestine, to emphasize the excessive, indiscriminate and non-proportional use of force by Israel against the Palestinian people.

Organization of the Islamic Conference, Ambassador Babacar Ba

“Despite innumerable resolutions in the General Assembly, Security Council and Human Rights Council, the Palestinians continue to face military incursions; extra-judicial and targeted assassinations; restriction on movement; and demolition of houses and infrastructure.”

 “This year’s solidarity day with the Palestinian people coincides with a period when Israel’s aggression and violation of international law in various parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territories is on the increase.”

‘The city of Jerusalem continues to be cordoned off through the racial segregation wall and military barriers … .”

“Peace efforts in the region have always been obstructed by Israel’s intransigence and lack of commitment to the terms of reference of the peace process. Those terms are the resolutions of international legitimacy….”

Non-Aligned Movement, Ambassador Juan Antonio Fernandez Palacios of Cuba

In the framework of human rights, the Non-Aligned Movement has supported the convening of special sessions. In this respect, the Non-Aligned Movement praised the existence of a special item on Palestinian rights. The Palestinian situation is not like any others and requires therefore a specific treatment by the council until the end of the occupation.

The Non-Aligned Movement condemned the fact that, 60 years after Resolution 181 has been adopted, the creation of a Palestinian state continues to be an impossible target precisely because “Israel continues to violate international law and international resolutions.”

African Union, Ms K. R. Msri

The representative assured the AU’s full support and admiration for Palestinians in their legitimate fight for dignity and right to self-determination well as for their sacrifices and abnegation to defend their cause. The AU also referred to UN reports (UN report of October 24, 2007 on the deteriorated situation in Gaza) and resolutions to implore the Israeli government to stop its “indiscriminate acts and violations of international humanitarian law.”

Thomas Getman, International Relations Director, World Vision

Thoman Getman called on a minute of silence for children that bear the consequences of the conflict. He called on the audience to think about  “the first child that each of us saw in terrible situation because of the Israeli occupation.; for me it was 20 years ago in Hebron, a 9-year old child trying to find his textbook in the ruins of his house destroyed by a bulldozer.”

Dr. Juliette Sayegh, General Arab Women Federation (on behalf of the NGOs accredited to the CEIRPP, the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People).

“The situation of the Palestinian people is worse than ever as evidenced by official UN reports.” The 60th anniversary of the “Nakba” was the “forceful removal of around a million Palestinians from their land.” She presented data to emphasize the terrible living conditions of the Palestinian people. In that respect, she recalled Palestinian children unable to go to schools as schools are being targeted by Israeli army “making education a danger for children.”

The ceremony ended with the Palestinian representative reading a statement made by President Mahmoud Abbas: “Peace cannot be achieved with the construction of the apartheid wall nor by settlements, nor by preventing people from coming to holy places in Jerusalem including Christians, nor by allowing fanatic settlers to attack Palestinians and put fire on their crops.”

– With reporting by UN Watch’s Ophelie Namiech.

Israel approves Palestinian-run ambulances in Jerusalem

Published by
UN Watch
- at November 30, 2007 in International Humanitarian Law, Middle East and Red Cross. 0 Comments

Last-minute Israeli approval to the operation of Palestinian ambulance teams in Arab-populated areas of eastern Jerusalem prevented a rocky conclusion to an international Red Cross and Red Crescent conference that wrapped up today in Geneva. The ambulances are staffed by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) but bear Israeli license plates and are subject to Israeli health regulation.

Delegates from national governments and relief societies adopted a consensual resolution expressing “concern” over the implementation of a ground-breaking 2005 memorandum of understanding between the PRCS and its Israeli counterpart, the Magen David Adom, which deals with Palestinian ambulances in Jerusalem and Israeli ambulances operating in the West Bank. Agreement today between Israeli and Palestinian delegates prevented a much harsher text from being introduced by Arab states, which would have sought to condemn Israel in tones similar to those common in many UN bodies.

In his speech to the plenary, the head of the Palestinian society announced it had received guarantees to operate ambulances in eastern Jerusalem, and that an hour and a half later they were operating. The PRCS called on Israel to embrace the cooperation between the two relief societies, “a genuine example of peace-building in the region.”

The Magen David Adom said that the PRCS is the first Palestinian legal entity to operate in Jerusalem with the agreement of Israel, and that it wanted to open relations with the Lebanese and the Syrian societies as well.

The Palestinian government’s representative praised the spirit of the Annapolis peace conference and thanked Israel and its national society for their efforts toward the full implementation of the 2005 cooperation agreement.

The Union of the Arab Red Crescent Societies called for “an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people,” and asked for measures similar to the Israel-Palestinian memorandum be extended to the Golan.

The head of the U.S. delegation, John B. Bellinger, welcomed the resolution and said that the U.S. was committed to results on the ground. The American Red Cross said it was impressed by the cooperation between the two societies offered their good offices for the future.

Pakistan, on behalf of the Islamic group of states, called the consensual adoption of the resolution a “historic moment,” and they appreciated Israel’s resolve to support consensus.

Israel said this was the first Red Cross conference where the Magen David Adom participated as a full member. Israel was committed to continue facilitating the arrangements and today the ambulances were in operation. On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the UN General Assembly vote to establish a Jewish and an Arab state in Palestine, Israeli Ambassador Isaac Levanon said that they “are still waiting for that vision of the two states to become a reality.”

Egypt on behalf of the African Group urged the Israeli authorities to fully implement the 2005 memorandum. Iraq on behalf of the Arab group said that promises had been made to Syria and Lebanon on humanitarian needs.

Dr. Jakob Kellenberger of the International Committee of the Red Cross paid tribute to “the courage” of the Israeli and Palestinian societies, and said his organization would continue to push for the full implementation of the 2005 agreement.

Arab states at Red Cross conference seek to censure Israel and Magen David Adom

Published by
UN Watch
- at November 27, 2007 in International Humanitarian Law, Middle East and Red Cross. 1 Comment

At the 30th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent now underway in Geneva, the Arab states are seeking to condemn Israel for “inhumane practices,” “the lack of commitment demonstrated by the Israeli authorities to the principles of international humanitarian law,” alleging that Israel’s relief society is not complying with a recent agreement signed with its Palestinian counterpart.  (See two draft resolutions below.)

One of the draft resolutions cites a new report, authored by former Finnish Prime Minister Mr. Par Stenback, as alleged proof that the Israeli authorities and the Magen David Adom, Israel’s humanitarian society, are not cooperating with the Red Cross Movement or respecting their prior commitments.

The Stenback report itself, however, says no such thing. While shortcomings are identified, Mr. Stenback describes the cooperation between the MDA and the Palestinian Red Crescent in several fields as “exemplary of how sister Societies can and should co-operate.” Mr. Stenback also recognizes the good will shown by the Israeli authorities, stating that “interventions by the Prime Minister’s office have facilitated the process by giving the political directives needed in order to resolve a number of bureaucratic issues.”

It is unfortunate that the Arab relief societies have chosen to drag atavistic politics into the Red Cross Movement, a forum dedicated to the principle of humanitarian cooperation. The danger is real that, if the censure is adopted, the resort to partisan point-scoring might upset the fragile new relationship that the Steinback report seeks to protect and cultivate.

Related texts from this week’s conference:

Red Cross course for Gaza hooded terrorists: Israeli “targets they can attack”

Published by
UN Watch
- at November 26, 2007 in International Humanitarian Law, Middle East and Terrorism. 0 Comments

The International Committee of the Red Cross is now teaching terrorist groups in Gaza about the finer points of international humanitarian law, which concerns the protection of civilians during war. Since the main fighting method of organizations like Hamas and Islamic Jihad is the intentional, mass murder of civilians — by suicide bombers heading for martyrs’ paradise — one wonders what it is precisely that the good people of the ICRC hope to accomplish here. 

The BBC writes about the story here. But the must-see report is an Al Jazeera video – which could easily be mistaken for a clip from Comedy Central — where hooded terrorists gather in a classroom with colored markers to debate international law and rights.

What exactly are they learning, though?

Iyad Nasr, ICRC spokesman, is quoted on the video as saying, “We’d like these armed guys to understand the civilian population, the target, the military targets that they can attack, and the ones they cannot attack.” The reporter tells how the fighters were “absorbing what was sometimes surprising new information, learning that the armed resistance they engage in is a right the law guarantees them.” 

“I have rights,” exclaims one hooded fighter. “Who knew?”

While it is true that under the highly controversial 1977 Protocol I Additional to the Geneva Conventions (never ratified by the U.S.) “organized armed groups” are accorded prisoner of war treatment, there is absolutely nothing in international law that condones armed aggression, by state or non-state actors, against civilian or military personnel.

Was the ICRC suggesting that certain Hamas attacks, like the one in June 2006 that killed or wounded five Israeli soldiers (including the captive Gilad Shalit), are not illegal?

Mr. Nasr and the ICRC would do well to clarify what it is exactly that they are teaching.

UN Watch on TV

Published by
UN Watch
- at November 22, 2007 in Hillel Neuer, Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and UN Watch News. 0 Comments

UN Ends Scrutiny of Cuba and Belarus, Indicts Israel

Published by
UN Watch
- at November 22, 2007 in Belarus, Burma (Myanmar), Cuba, Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Iran, Middle East and Third Committee. 3 Comments

By a vote of 165 to 7, a UN General Assembly committee last Friday approved “institution-building” changes to the Human Rights Council that actually weaken or eliminate several of its key institutions. The package scraps the independent investigators of abuses in Cuba and Belarus, makes it harder to criticize specific countries for violations, and institutes the permanent censure of Israel as a fixed agenda item, an initiative pushed by the group of Islamic states.

The U.S., Canada, Australia, Israel and three Pacific Island states voted in opposition. The European Union countries supported the package, arguing it was the best possible compromise to preserve a functioning council.

The changes were first adopted on June 19, 2007 by the Human Rights Council in Geneva under dubious circumstances. As documented by a UN Watch photo timeline, “How the Human Rights Council Was Born” — an eye-opener into the dark side of international law and diplomacy — the package was rammed through in middle of the night, with Canada denied its right to vote. Continue reading ‘UN Ends Scrutiny of Cuba and Belarus, Indicts Israel’

Setback to universal review of human rights records

Published by
UN Watch
- at November 20, 2007 in Human Rights Council (UNHRC). 0 Comments

At a recent organizational meeting of the Human Rights Council, President Costea unwillingly agreed to postpone the drawing of the lots for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) troikas, at the request of the African Group.

The UPR, regarded by some as the gem of the new council, is scheduled to examine the first countries in April 2008. Each country will be reviewed by a panel of three rapporteurs (the Troika), each of whom will come from a different member state, according to rules agreed in the Institution-Building package and further detailed by the Secretariat. A country will be able to veto a rapporteur, if not happy with his or her country of origin or qualifications.

Egypt, on behalf of the African Group requested the postponement of the drawing of the lots, “until agreement has been reached on the scope and nature of their role.” Pakistan, on behalf of the Islamic group, supported this proposal.

A number of States from Asia, the Western group and Latin America expressed their uneasiness with the postponement, arguing that they need time to prepare for the process and appoint the relevant experts who will conduct the examination. President Costea said that the request was in fact a “back door” effort to change the Institution-Building package that was just approved by the Third Committee. Focusing too much on details and technicalities would mean the end of the UPR process.

Although UPR is not set to begin until April, several countries have already opened a campaign to undermine it.

– Reporting by Toby W. Frankenstein

South Africa’s UN Votes Against Human Rights

Published by
UN Watch
- at November 19, 2007 in Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and South Africa. 4 Comments

South Africa is abuzz after its Sunday Times, citing UN Watch analysis, published an exposé of the country’s negative voting record on human rights issues at the United Nations. The story has since been published by the BuaNews wire service, SABC and other South African and international media.

The Times story revealed how South Africa consistently votes at the UN with the likes of Cuba, Russia and Saudi Arabia, instead of standing in solidarity with human rights victims. However, the UN Watch report cited by the Times was actually released in May 2007 — and not last week as reported. Our study, Dawn of A New Era?, measured all 47 members of the UN Human Rights Council based on 20 key votes. (See pages 26-27 of the report, or 31-32 in your PDF viewer.) South Africa’s score lies at the bottom with a grade of minus 16, tied with countries like Cuba, Russia and Saudi Arabia.

(It should be noted that South Africa was also rated at the bottom in a more recent study by a separate non-governmental organization, the Democracy Coalition Project, which measured country support — or opposition — for credible and effective UN human rights mechanisms. For South Africa’s ratings, see page 2 of that report here.)

Our survey of the first year of the Council looked at every country resolution, including measures for the victims of Darfur, as well as resolutions that support mechanisms of human rights scrutiny or that concerned freedom of speech. Regrettably, South Africa voted consistently at the UN in solidarity with the perpetrators of human rights violations, instead of with the victims.

The South African government’s response, published on its website, suggests that they never read our report. They claim that our study only looked at one agenda item and was not “holistic.” In fact, however, a quick glance at our report’s methodology, outlined in detail at page 5, shows that it covered a broad range of key issues and agenda items. To assess the Council’s performance, we focused on its most meaningful human rights actions, including resolutions and motions that were widely considered among HRC stakeholders to be important and were treated as such by members through their statements and actions.

The most important class of resolutions for diplomats and human rights activists has always been the “name and shame” votes where a specific country is censured. In addition, our report also reviewed other meaningful votes such as:

  • Two Islamic-group texts on “incitement to racial and religious hatred” and “combating defamation of religions.” These resolutions seek to suppress perceived offenses against Islam — and even to justify violent reactions thereto — and are inconsistent not only with free speech protections but with the fundamental principle that international human rights law protects individuals, not religions.
  • A resolution sponsored by the African Group imposing a “code of conduct” on human rights monitors and a resolution by China for the “Like Minded Group” limiting the independence of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Both of these are acts of intimidation by regimes interested in hiding their abuses, and the way in which countries voted demonstrated their commitment to protecting the UN’s non-political human rights mechanisms.
  • A resolution by China and the Like Minded Group on “globalization and its impact on the full enjoyment of all human rights” suggesting, nonsensically, that globalization negatively impacts all human rights.
  • A Cuban-sponsored resolution requiring the Secretary-General and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to consider and report to the Council on “the negative impact on populations” of “unilateral coercive measures”— a political jab at the United States for its trade embargo against Cuba.
  • A successful motion by Islamic states to postpone three thematic resolutions sponsored by Canada, introduced solely out of retaliatory spite after Canada voted “no” on the Islamic group’s fifth and sixth censures of Israel.

The government statement also made some ad hominem attacks on UN Watch that were ill-considered and inaccurate. We shall respond in due course.

Arabs foil PA condemnation of Hamas’ takeover of Gaza at UN

Published by
UN Watch
- at November 18, 2007 in Middle East. 1 Comment

NEW YORK – The Arab lobby at the United Nations, backed by Russia, foiled a Palestinian Authority initiative to include a condemnation of Hamas’ seizure of the Gaza Strip in a UN resolution against Israel.

PA observer Riad Mansour sought to include a clause “expressing concern about the takeover by illegal militias of Palestinian Authority institutions in June 2007″ and calling for the reversal of this situation, but moderated the wording under Arab pressure. Russia had made it clear to the Arab delegates that it supported their opposition to a UN resolution including any condemnation of Hamas.

The clause was supposed to be included in a draft resolution against Israel, slated to be voted on this week at a Decolonization Committee meeting. But when Mansour submitted the proposed clause to the Arab representatives for approval, as usual, it met with severe criticism, and he was personally vilified. Reliable diplomatic sources said Mansour was subjected to a barrage of insults, led by the representatives of Egypt, Syria and Libya.

The Arab delegates claimed Mansour’s initiative would be interpreted as an official UN condemnation of Hamas, and would gain Israel international legitimacy for cutting electricity and fuel supplies to Gaza. Mansour agreed to softer language expressing “concern about an illegal takeover.”

(Source: Haaretz, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/925220.html)

U.N. Chief Urged to Investigate Official’s Complicity With Undercover Castro Agents

Published by
UN Watch
- at November 13, 2007 in Cuba, Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Jean Ziegler and UN Ethics. 0 Comments

“Until Mr. Ban and Ms. Arbour take action, Jean Ziegler’s unethical conduct will cast a shadow upon the reputation and integrity of all the independent experts” — Hillel Neuer, UN Watch

Geneva, Nov. 13, 2007 — The U.N. expressed “regret” after one of its officials allowed undercover Cuban diplomats to attend a news conference where they sought information on a French journalist asking questions about Fidel Castro’s regime, the Associated Press reported today. UN Watch, the Geneva-based monitoring organization, called on Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour and members of the UN Human Rights Council to order a full investigation into “the tangled web of Jean Ziegler’s collusion with the Castro regime.”

Mr. Ziegler, mandated by the council to address the “right to food,” recently returned to his native Geneva after an 11-day mission to Cuba, which he hailed as a world model for how it feeds its people.

At an October 11 press conference convened by Ziegler prior to his departure — where he announced that he would visit Cuba not to investigate violations but rather to praise its government — a journalist who asked critical questions was quickly singled out by undercover Cuban diplomats who had entered the room in violation of a strict U.N. prohibition. The officials asked other journalists to identify the name and agency of the reporter who debated Ziegler.

Continue reading ‘U.N. Chief Urged to Investigate Official’s Complicity With Undercover Castro Agents’

Iran, Belarus, Burma and North Korea lash out against UN drafts

Published by
UN Watch
- at November 11, 2007 in Third Committee. 0 Comments

Iran, Belarus, Burma (Myanmar) and North Korea lashed out after resolutions highlighting abuses in their countries were presented in the General Assembly’s Third Committee, which deals with economic, social, and human rights issues. The heated debate saw Belarus insist that it “was no rabbit; it had the strength and self-respect not to give in to threats, intimidation and haughtiness.”

Continue reading ‘Iran, Belarus, Burma and North Korea lash out against UN drafts’

Syria tells UN: Creation of Israel a “caesarean birth”

Published by
UN Watch
- at November 9, 2007 in Third Committee. 0 Comments

Thursday’s debate at the General Assembly’s Third Committee touched on the plight of rural women and refugees, self-determination, and racism. A report by António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, noted with concern that “after several years of steady decrease, the number of refugees worldwide rose to nearly 10 million [people].”

Discussing self-determination, Syria said that the creation of Israel was a “caesarean birth.” Pakistan rebuked India regarding the disputed Kashmir region, saying that “no one should offer lessons in human rights to Pakistan.”

In other business, draft resolutions were introduced on the death penalty, the promotion of human rights, internally displaced persons, and the elimination of all forms of religious intolerance.

UN Watch highlights follow below.

Continue reading ‘Syria tells UN: Creation of Israel a “caesarean birth”’

UN Racism Expert Accuses Sarkozy of ‘Legitimizing Racism,’ Defends Durban II Conference

Published by
UN Watch
- at November 8, 2007 in Third Committee. 0 Comments
  • UN Racism Expert Doudou Diène addressed the General Assembly’s Third Committee on social, humanitarian and cultural affairs, noting a “resurgence” in racist and xenophobic violence, as well as growing “defamation of religions.” He cited racial as well as religious hatred, anti-Semitism, Christianophobia and, particularly, Islamophobia. Diène took the unusual step of criticizing French President Nicolas Sarkozy for a July 2007 speech in Dakar that allegedly stated that “Africans had not become part of history.” According to Diène, this was “an example of the legitimization of racism…it recalled the essentialism of racist constructions of the 18th and 19th centuries.”
  • Diène also defended the Durban follow-up conference, saying it faced “a campaign to discredit its outcome.” Continue reading ‘UN Racism Expert Accuses Sarkozy of ‘Legitimizing Racism,’ Defends Durban II Conference’

Iran Expresses “Satisfaction” with Human Rights Council, Supports New Reforms

Published by
UN Watch
- at November 7, 2007 in Third Committee and Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Tuesday afternoon saw heated exchanges at the UN General Assembly (GA) as its Third Committee, which oversees human rights issues, debated a package of reforms proposed in June by the Human Rights Council, a subsidiary body of the GA. (Click here or the statement by UN Watch and 26 other NGOs opposing the changes, as reported by Canada’s National Post).

Israeli Ambassador Dan Gillerman accused the new Human Rights Council of “moral bankruptcy.” The new Human Rights Council, he said, “was delivered by some who thought they were giving birth to a new baby, but they have given birth to a horrendous monster.”

The United States expressed “concern” at the “relentless” campaign against Israel at the Council. However, the Palestinian observer said that the situation in Palestine “had become a ‘test for the West’ regarding its commitment to the human rights.” Cuba, Syria and Iran also welcomed the Council’s focus on Israel.

Syria, Egypt, Myanmar (Burma), and Iran all voiced support for the proposed “code of conduct” for Special Procedures—a mechanism designed by China, Algeria, and other authoritarian members of the council to cow independent human rights monitors into silence.

Although many countries praised the non-selective nature of the proposed Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism, France and the United States emphasized that it could not replace the need for country-specific actions and investigatory mandates.

For the official UN summary of the debate, click here. Our own highlights follow below.
Continue reading ‘Iran Expresses “Satisfaction” with Human Rights Council, Supports New Reforms’

Sudan Accuses U.S. of Human Rights Violations, UN to End Scrutiny of Belarus and Cuba

Published by
UN Watch
- at November 6, 2007 in Third Committee. 0 Comments

UN Human Rights Council President Doru-Romulus Costea of Romania, appeared on Monday before the General Assembly’s Third Committee, which oversees human rights matters, as it began consideration of changes to the council’s make-up that would end scrutiny of Belarus and Cuba.

“Let us make the good choice, between what is right and what is easy,” said Costea. When this institution deals with human rights, it is worth trying it out all the way through.” Ambassador Costea also highlighted some of the new mechanisms and structures of the Council, including the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), the rationalization and improvement of mandates, the selection of new mandate-holders, the new agenda, and the rules of procedure.

Canada, an outspoken critic of the reform package in June 2007, reiterated its objection that consensus was declared when “there was no consensus, and the manner in which that package was pushed through did a disservice to the Council and to the causes it espoused.” (For more information about the scandal surrounding the adoption of the Human Rights Council reform package, click here). Despite its objections, Canada pledged to “continue to work to ensure that the Council remained able to respond to urgent human rights situations.”

Portugal on behalf of the EU expressed similar concerns, most notably regarding the Council’s treatment of the Israeli-Palestinian issue. While the European Union remained “very concerned” about the human rights in the region, it had doubts about the effectiveness of “unbalanced and divisive resolutions.”

Most countries supported adopting the June package of reforms.

While the debate remained mostly civil, Cuba and Sudan denounced the United States and “western accomplices.” Cuba accused the United States of “political manipulation,” “hypocrisy” and “double standards,” and of using the UN human rights machinery to hide its “abhorrent crimes.” Sudan expressed hope that the new UPR mechanism would be take up the “atrocious scandals unfolding in Guantanamo Bay and other prisons.”

For the entire summary, see click here.

— Reporting by Toby Frankenstein