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John Metzler Archive
Friday, May 15, 2009

Farce: The politics of human rights at the United Nations

UNITED NATIONS Ñ To cynical observers, it may appear that the foxes are guarding the henhouse; namely that countries like Cuba, China and Russia are members of the UNÕs Human Rights Council. But then so are the United States, Belgium, and Norway. So in the nuanced and political bouillabaisse of the UN, one can conclude this is business as usual.

Also In This Edition

The 192 member General Assembly recently held elections for new members of the Human Rights Council, the Geneva-based rights organization. Based on geographical distribution, member states get a three year term on the UNÕs chief human rights deliberative body.

The United States was elected; good news, but hereÕs the context. When the new body was set up in 2006, replacing the totally discredited former Commission on Human Rights, the Bush Administration opted not to participate. The new 47 member Council, after all, continued to have input from some to the worldÕs leading human rights transgressors. Washington chose to sit by the sidelines.

This time around, the Obama Administration decided to run. In an unopposed but secret ballot for the Western European and Other States category, the United States placed third; Norway gained 179 votes, Belgium 177 and the USA 167. While Washington is elated over its election, keep in mind that despite the secret ballot, or probably because of it, the U.S. still suffers from that Òimage problem.Ó

Among the Asian States there was no competition for five seats and there were some interesting results. Jordan came in first with 178 votes, no doubt partly due to the prestige of King Abdullah in the Middle East. But the other four elected were Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, PeopleÕs Republic of China, and Saudi Arabia. Need I say more?

For the three seats in Latin America and the Caribbean, the unopposed seats went to Mexico, Uruguay and that all time favorite Cuba. Interestingly here CastroÕs Cuba, despite getting the nod, received ten fewer votes than Uruguay, a genuine democracy.

The African States are allotted five seats but there were six candidates. Senegal gained the most votes, followed by Mauritius, Nigeria, Cameroon and Djibouti. Kenya failed to garner a seat. Here we see the still very strong influence of the FrenchÑand French speaking Africa. Senegal, Cameroon and Djibouti are part of the Francophone while Mauritius and Nigeria are English-speaking. Diplomats feel that Djibouti edged out Kenya, for two reasons; one being KenyaÕs serious internal violence last year, and the fact that Djibouti is French-speaking.

The final category, Eastern European States saw a contest for two open seats. The Russian Federation gained 146 votes, Hungary 131, and Azerbaijan 81. So Russia and Hungary get the place on the Council. The good news here is that Hungary despite its current socialist government, is a genuine democracy and member of both the European Union and NATO. Azerbaijan, a part of the former Soviet Union, let us say retains many of the old and less than endearing ways of times past. But since they are oil-rich, nobody seems to notice.

Freedom House, a respected human rights group described countries like Azerbaijan, Cameroon, China, Cuba, Djibouti, Russia and Saudi Arabia as having Òdubious human rights recordsÓ and should be blocked from the CouncilÕs membership.

The Human Rights Council holds three major annual sessions in Geneva; periodic review of the human rights situation in each member state is on the rotating agenda as are the appointment of Special Rapporteurs to deal with specific abuses in particular countries. Moreover, the Council is instrumental is setting international human rights standards. While the body has shown undue criticism of Israel, serial rights abusers like Sudan get the kid glove treatment.

Naturally the membership reflects the full General Assembly and thus contains many of the same global human rights transgressors that are being investigated. Indeed, having countries like Cuba, communist China, Saudi Arabia and Russia, sit in judgment is a bit like having Tony Soprano chair a Senate sub-committee on organized crime.

In a New York Times commentary, Vaclav Havel, former Czech President and noted anti-communist dissident, described the election as Òa farce.Ó One can admire HavelÕs wisdom concerning the Council credibility.


John J. Metzler is a U.N. correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He writes weekly for WorldTribune.com.
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