New UN human rights body launched

[Judi Lynn]

New UN human rights body launched
From: Agence France-Presse From correspondents in Geneva
June 20, 2006

THE UN's reformed Human Rights Council opened its first-ever session today, but the US stayed away and critical campaigners warned that many of the new watchdog's members do not respect the rules themselves.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said the 47-country panel was in the spotlight, adding his voice to those who say it has a duty to overcome the failings of its predecessor.

"The Council's work must mark a clean break from the past," he told foreign ministers and other dignitaries from around a hundred nations attending its two-week inaugural session. "Never allow this Council to become caught up in political point-scoring or petty manoeuvre," he said.

The Council replaces the former UN Commission on Human Rights which was widely regarded as discredited due to the dominant presence of countries with poor human rights records, and riven by power politics and behind-the-scenes bargaining to help states duck criticism.
(snip/...)

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,19528483-38200,00.html

[babylonsister]

1. I imagine the US now falls into the category of a nation with a

poor human rights record. Shame on us, shame on the blivet and his failed, dangerous policies!