US back as observer to UN rights council

Kelsey McGalliard
3/4/09
10:00 pm

The United States returned Wednesday to the U.N. Human Rights Council. They left nine months ago saying it was biased against Israel and had failed to confront rights abusers. The U.S. informed the council it will resume participating in meetings as an active observer. Observer status means the U.S. can engage in debate but not vote. "We will expect — of ourselves and of the governments in this chamber representing every region of the world — a willingness to overcome our differences and to unite in common purpose," Mark Storella, charge d'affaires of the U.S. mission to the United Nations in Geneva, told the council. The U.S. will work closely with council members and other observers to promote human rights around the world, he said. Last June, the Bush administration announced it was virtually giving up on the 47-nation body and would participate in debates only if absolutely necessary. It said it was leaving because of the council's anti-Israel statements and its failure to act on abuses in Sudan and other states. The council is dominated by Muslim and African countries. "The United States remains concerned about the politicization of human rights, and about this council's repeated singling out of one country," Storella said, referring to Israel. "We are concerned about this council's failure thus far to address some of the most egregious human rights violations in the world today," Storella said. "And about the isolated but alarming attempts by some to use council resolutions to undermine universal human rights, such as freedom of expression."
It’s interesting reading about the United States involvement in the Human Rights Council. I was under the impression that the US would not be a part of the HRC. I really don’t understand how a country whom is referred to a world power and has successfully accomplished many human rights obstacles. I took part in UNCG’s Model UN and I really had a better incite on how the UN works and from my experience not speaking up and not trying to push for your country and changes that will benefit not only your country but the world as a whole is definitely not something that the US should do. Something such as Human Rights that affects the world and that is a problem that is faced everywhere no matter what the situation is a problem that we need to try control and the US involvement is beneficial.

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