India wins big at UN vote

Tronic · 05-10-2006, 18:58 PM

Quote:

India wins big at UN vote
WASHINGTON: India emerged as the top vote-getter in Tuesday’s elections to the newly-established U.N Human Rights Council, a massive victory that is seen to augur well for New Delhi’s bid for a permanent U.N Security Council seat.

In what was described as the largest ever polling exercise in the United Nations, India won 173 out of 191 votes in a secret ballot to elect the 47-member Council. It was the biggest tally for any country, surpassing Japan (158) and China (146) in Asia.

''It is a vindication of India’s long history and tradition of democracy and plurality, for the kind of international causes we have straddled'' a delighted Nirupam Sen, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, told TNN.

''It shows that we can mobilize not just two-thirds but even three-fourths of the world as we move toward the larger objective of a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.''

The new Human Rights Council replaces the 60-year old, largely discredited Human Rights Commission, which was elected by a smaller 54-nation Economic and Social Council and most contenders ran unopposed after nomination by regional blocs.

The Commission was disbanded after a number of countries with dubious HR records manipulated elections to win seats and began to work together as a bloc to defeat resolutions critical against any one of them.

Not that this election was without flaws. The United States initially opposed even this Council and declined to run for a seat citing inadequate correctives.

But it participated in the process that at least expanded the election process to involve all 191 member nations and set a benchmark of at least 96 votes (50 per cent votes) to win a seat on the council.

Despite this, several habitual rights abusers won seats. The New York-based Human Rights Watch identified Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, China, Cuba and Russia among the worst elected. Much to Washington’s delight, Iran and Venezuela failed to win a seat on the Council.

Separately, the human rights group UN Watch published a list of 28 countries it described as human rights abusers unfit to sit on the council. The General Assembly voted for 17 of these countries, including Cuba, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Russia, China and Indonesia. The six are also among those designated as ''not free'' by the democracy watchdog Freedom House.

Despite such infamy, Pakistan rejoiced at being elected with 146 votes, a third of which comes from the Islamic bloc.

While a victory by such a huge margin and unsullied by any strictures will be gratifying for India, a seat on the Council will bring its own responsibility.

The Council will be required to conduct a regular review of the human rights record of all countries beginning with those serving on it. Sen said India was ready for it, pledging to make the newly established forum a strong, effective and efficient body ''capable of protecting fundamental freedoms across the world.''

The Council will have its first sitting in Geneva on June 19.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/a...ow/1523729.cms

Jay · 05-10-2006, 19:07 PM

Several nations considered by activists to have poor human rights records have won election to the newly formed UN Human Rights Council.

China, Cuba, Pakistan, Russia and Saudi Arabia were among 44 states confirmed on the 47-strong council, elected by the UN General Assembly.

The new body replaces the Human Rights Commission, discredited for having members with terrible rights records.

Three seats from eastern Europe will be allocated on Wednesday.

Sixty-seven states stood for election.

'Bad joke'

The US-based advocacy group Human Rights Watch had urged the UN not to elect China, Cuba, Pakistan, Russia and Saudi Arabia onto the new council.

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL SEATS
Africa: 13
Asia: 13
Latin America and Caribbean: 8
Eastern Europe: 6
Western Europe and others (incl US, Canada, Israel): 7
However, a spokesman for the group told the BBC that they had expected most of those five to win places because of their political power.

Venezuela and Iran - also judged unsuitable - failed to win election. Azerbaijan faces defeat in the final round of voting.

The disbanded Human Rights Commission numbered Sudan and Zimbabwe among its members.

The BBC's Laura Trevelyan, at the UN, says the old commission was widely seen as a bad joke.

Whether the new Human Rights Council really represents an improvement on the old Commission depends on how it acts from hereon in, she adds.

Each nation standing for election has had to pledge to promote human rights.

But campaigners hope it will be less politicised and more willing to act on abuse than its predecessor.

US scepticism

Many recent commission members with poor human rights records did not stand for election, including Sudan, Zimbabwe, Syria, Nepal, Eritrea and Ethiopia.

The creation of the Human Rights Council is seen as a key component of overall reform of the United Nations.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan
Kofi Annan says the UN's credibility is at stake
However, the United States was against the council's creation, arguing that it did not go far enough to prevent countries with bad rights records from winning seats.

US Ambassador John Bolton has said the US, which is not standing, will work with other member states "to make the council as strong and effective as it can be."

The regional composition of the new council is based on population. To get a seat a country must be elected by a majority vote of the 191-member General Assembly.

The UN says on its website that "member states will take into consideration a candidate's contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights".

The council will be based in Geneva and is expected to hold its first meeting on 19 June.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4754169.stm

Tronic · 05-10-2006, 19:10 PM

Quote:

The US-based advocacy group Human Rights Watch had urged the UN not to elect China, Cuba, Pakistan, Russia and Saudi Arabia onto the new council.

these states have already been elected, I don't think the UN will kick them out now...

Blademaster · 05-10-2006, 19:13 PM

Who the Fvck cares about some stupid human rights groups? As far as I am concerned, they can rot in hell.

**Officer of Engineers** · 05-10-2006, 19:17 PM

Well, you should care. They're a bunch of lawyers ... as you're going to be.

Tronic · 05-10-2006, 19:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blademaster

Who the Fvck cares about some stupid human rights groups? As far as I am concerned, they can rot in hell.

I dont think you have any idea how important human rights are in this world... one should never take human rights for granted...

Blademaster · 05-10-2006, 21:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Officer of Engineers

Well, you should care. They're a bunch of lawyers ... as you're going to be.

Bah! Humbug!

05-10-2006, 19:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jay Tamizhanban *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 08-06-03 Location: Edison, NJ Posts: 6,191 Country:	Several nations considered by activists to have poor human rights records have won election to the newly formed UN Human Rights Council. China, Cuba, Pakistan, Russia and Saudi Arabia were among 44 states confirmed on the 47-strong council, elected by the UN General Assembly. The new body replaces the Human Rights Commission, discredited for having members with terrible rights records. Three seats from eastern Europe will be allocated on Wednesday. Sixty-seven states stood for election. 'Bad joke' The US-based advocacy group Human Rights Watch had urged the UN not to elect China, Cuba, Pakistan, Russia and Saudi Arabia onto the new council. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL SEATS Africa: 13 Asia: 13 Latin America and Caribbean: 8 Eastern Europe: 6 Western Europe and others (incl US, Canada, Israel): 7 However, a spokesman for the group told the BBC that they had expected most of those five to win places because of their political power. Venezuela and Iran - also judged unsuitable - failed to win election. Azerbaijan faces defeat in the final round of voting. The disbanded Human Rights Commission numbered Sudan and Zimbabwe among its members. The BBC's Laura Trevelyan, at the UN, says the old commission was widely seen as a bad joke. Whether the new Human Rights Council really represents an improvement on the old Commission depends on how it acts from hereon in, she adds. Each nation standing for election has had to pledge to promote human rights. But campaigners hope it will be less politicised and more willing to act on abuse than its predecessor. US scepticism Many recent commission members with poor human rights records did not stand for election, including Sudan, Zimbabwe, Syria, Nepal, Eritrea and Ethiopia. The creation of the Human Rights Council is seen as a key component of overall reform of the United Nations. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan Kofi Annan says the UN's credibility is at stake However, the United States was against the council's creation, arguing that it did not go far enough to prevent countries with bad rights records from winning seats. US Ambassador John Bolton has said the US, which is not standing, will work with other member states "to make the council as strong and effective as it can be." The regional composition of the new council is based on population. To get a seat a country must be elected by a majority vote of the 191-member General Assembly. The UN says on its website that "member states will take into consideration a candidate's contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights". The council will be based in Geneva and is expected to hold its first meeting on 19 June. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4754169.stm __________________ A grain of wheat eclipsed the sun of Adam !!

05-10-2006, 19:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
Officer of Engineers *Military Professional* Moderator Scotch taster Join Date: 08-06-03 Posts: 15,915 Country:	Well, you should care. They're a bunch of lawyers ... as you're going to be. __________________ Chimo

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05-10-2006, 19:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
Blademaster Military Enthusiast *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 08-15-03 Posts: 3,050	Who the Fvck cares about some stupid human rights groups? As far as I am concerned, they can rot in hell.

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