Comments on: U.S. nominee to UN rights council pledges to eliminate anti-Israel agenda item, refocus on “real abusers” http://blog.unwatch.org/index.php/2009/12/02/us-nominee-to-un-rights-council-pledges-to-eliminate-anti-israel-agenda-item-refocus-on-real-abusers/ The blog of UN Watch: monitoring the United Nations, promoting human rights. Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:54:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Christian L http://blog.unwatch.org/index.php/2009/12/02/us-nominee-to-un-rights-council-pledges-to-eliminate-anti-israel-agenda-item-refocus-on-real-abusers/#comment-1783 Christian L Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:21:31 +0000 http://blog.unwatch.org/index.php/2009/12/02/us-nominee-to-un-rights-council-pledges-to-eliminate-anti-israel-agenda-item-refocus-on-real-abusers/#comment-1783 <p>It is hard to see how Dr Donohoe will be able to affect either the substantive issues (agenda etc) or indeed the procedural issue. </p> <p>Presumably the HRC agenda is related to the wishes of the majority on the HRC. With an in-built majority of OIC countries, Cuba, China and sundry third world/'non-aligned' countries - virtually all of whom are human rights abusers - how on earth does Dr Donohoe imagine that she'll be able to 'persuade' autocratic regimes to change their minds - esp. since the status quo serves them so well!?</p> <p>The procedural issue, which to my mind is the key, should have been resolved when the HRC replaced the (equally) disgraced Commission. It's astounding that 'honouring human rights' wasn't made an absolute criterion when a country sought to become a member of the HRC. </p> <p>I hate to sound pessimistic, but this goes to the heart of the UN as an organisation. With a near-majority of states being semi- or all-out authoritarian in the UN, how does Dr Donohoe imagine she'll be able to change the membership of the HRC? It eludes me. </p> <p>Whilst I see the value of an outfit like the HRC, Islamic countries in un-holy conjunction with sundry dictatorships and autocracies have ensured that in it's three short years as an (dys-)functioning body, it is already corrupted and disgraced beyond repair.</p> It is hard to see how Dr Donohoe will be able to affect either the substantive issues (agenda etc) or indeed the procedural issue.

Presumably the HRC agenda is related to the wishes of the majority on the HRC. With an in-built majority of OIC countries, Cuba, China and sundry third world/’non-aligned’ countries - virtually all of whom are human rights abusers - how on earth does Dr Donohoe imagine that she’ll be able to ‘persuade’ autocratic regimes to change their minds - esp. since the status quo serves them so well!?

The procedural issue, which to my mind is the key, should have been resolved when the HRC replaced the (equally) disgraced Commission. It’s astounding that ‘honouring human rights’ wasn’t made an absolute criterion when a country sought to become a member of the HRC.

I hate to sound pessimistic, but this goes to the heart of the UN as an organisation. With a near-majority of states being semi- or all-out authoritarian in the UN, how does Dr Donohoe imagine she’ll be able to change the membership of the HRC? It eludes me.

Whilst I see the value of an outfit like the HRC, Islamic countries in un-holy conjunction with sundry dictatorships and autocracies have ensured that in it’s three short years as an (dys-)functioning body, it is already corrupted and disgraced beyond repair.

]]> By: Susan http://blog.unwatch.org/index.php/2009/12/02/us-nominee-to-un-rights-council-pledges-to-eliminate-anti-israel-agenda-item-refocus-on-real-abusers/#comment-1760 Susan Thu, 24 Dec 2009 06:12:21 +0000 http://blog.unwatch.org/index.php/2009/12/02/us-nominee-to-un-rights-council-pledges-to-eliminate-anti-israel-agenda-item-refocus-on-real-abusers/#comment-1760 Sadly, I think that her open declaration will kill her winning the nomination. Sadly, I think that her open declaration will kill her winning the nomination.

]]> By: Jaysonrex http://blog.unwatch.org/index.php/2009/12/02/us-nominee-to-un-rights-council-pledges-to-eliminate-anti-israel-agenda-item-refocus-on-real-abusers/#comment-1735 Jaysonrex Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:39:11 +0000 http://blog.unwatch.org/index.php/2009/12/02/us-nominee-to-un-rights-council-pledges-to-eliminate-anti-israel-agenda-item-refocus-on-real-abusers/#comment-1735 <p>It is time for the US to clarify its position regarding the fairness and honesty of the UN Human Rights Council. The Human Rights Commission, the predecessor of the Council, had to be disbanded because of the many scandals that stained its reptutation. The new body is apparently marching to the same tune: among its members are by far more countries violating human rights than respecting them. Therefore the outcome of the Council will be similar to that of its predecessor. Where is the effectiveness and efficiancy of the United Nations? It is time for the US to clarify its position regarding the fairness and honesty of the UN Human Rights Council. The Human Rights Commission, the predecessor of the Council, had to be disbanded because of the many scandals that stained its reptutation. The new body is apparently marching to the same tune: among its members are by far more countries violating human rights than respecting them. Therefore the outcome of the Council will be similar to that of its predecessor. Where is the effectiveness and efficiancy of the United Nations?

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