UNITED NATIONS, Feb 14 (IPS) – When among the world’s “authoritarian and repressive regimes” had been elected as members of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) –including Cuba, China, Russia, Kazakhstan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) — a US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher infamously remarked: “The inmates have taken over the asylum, I don’t plan to present the lunatics any extra American tax {dollars} to play with.”
That comment introduced again recollections of a 1975 award-winning Hollywood basic “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”, with Jack Nicholson as a rebellious affected person inflicting havoc at a US psychological establishment whereas main a gaggle of protesting inmates.
And final week, the US determined, metaphorically talking, to fly over the cuckoo’s nest—and withdraw from the Geneva-based 47-member Human Rights Council.
https://information.un.org/en/story/2022/04/1115782
Dr. Simon Adams, President and CEO of the Middle for Victims of Torture, instructed IPS the Human Rights Council and all United Nations our bodies are higher and stronger with america being actively engaged.
“Any state withdrawing from the HRC solely encourages the dictators, torturers, and human rights abusers of the world. At this second in historical past, with creeping authoritarianism and human rights beneath assault in so many components of the world, the Human Rights Council stays indispensable,” he added.
Ambassador A.L.A. Azeez, a international coverage commentator, who beforehand served as Sri Lanka’s Everlasting Consultant to the UN in Geneva, instructed IPS america’ withdrawal from the UNHRC is a counterproductive transfer that harms each US pursuits and the worldwide reason for human rights.
This departure from a vital multilateral establishment is unlikely to realize transformative change throughout the council. It by no means occurred with its earlier withdrawals, nor could it occur now, with the present one, he identified.
What does it obtain then?
“It removes the US’s alternative to interact constructively with members and stakeholders, contributing to the strengthening of human rights multilateralism. By exiting, the US forfeits its potential to form the narrative, push for needed reforms, and advocate for its values”.
Human rights multilateralism, he argued, will depend on the engagement and collaboration of numerous nations. Not one state or a small group of states alone nevertheless influential they’re!”
This withdrawal quantities to an abdication of shared duty for selling and defending human rights. It dangers signaling a diminished US dedication to human rights, probably eroding the worldwide human rights system and damaging no matter credibility and ethical authority the US has on the world stage, mentioned Ambassador Azeez.
Periodic withdrawals from worldwide our bodies just like the UNHRC severely harm the US’s picture as a steadfast defender of human rights and multilateralism. The US can not afford to venture a picture of selective engagement, perceived as contingent on the council’s alignment with US views.
This erosion of credibility hinders the US’s potential to steer by instance and successfully champion human rights.
The first motivation for the withdrawal appears to be issues about bias towards a detailed US ally within the Center East. Whereas such issues are sometimes expressed, is exiting the council the very best resolution? A extra constructive strategy can be to stay engaged and work to deal with perceived issues from inside.
Whereas strategic calculations could drive the thought of disengagement from multilateral our bodies, the period of unipolarity is over. Multilateralism should reassert itself, performing as a mediating pressure amongst competing geopolitical pursuits. The significance of remaining engaged in multilateral human rights efforts and driving significant change from inside can’t be overstated, declared Ambassador Azeez.
Responding to a query on the UN press briefing February 4, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric mentioned: “It would not alter our place on the significance of the Human Rights Council as a part of the general human rights structure throughout the United Nations,” he mentioned.
“And on UNRWA, I am undecided that is one thing that is very new. I imply, and once more, it would not alter our dedication to supporting UNRWA in its work, and in its work of delivering vital companies to Palestinians beneath its mandate,” mentioned Dujarric.
Amanda Klasing, Nationwide Director, Authorities Relations & Advocacy with Amnesty Worldwide USA, mentioned saying that america is withdrawing from the Human Rights Council when it’s not even a sitting member, is simply the most recent transfer by President Trump to display to the world his full and blatant disregard for human rights and worldwide cooperation — even when it weakens U.S. pursuits.
“Our world wants multilateral cooperation round shared pursuits, particularly the safety of human rights. Worldwide establishments will proceed to perform, both with the U.S. or with out it, however it appears that evidently President Trump is bored with having a seat at that desk to form the norms and insurance policies of the long run, and even to guard the human rights of individuals in america”.
The HRC gives a worldwide discussion board for governments to debate human rights issues, can authorize investigations that deliver to mild human rights violations, and, whereas not good, is a instrument to carry governments accountable in fulfilling their human rights obligations, together with to their very own inhabitants.
President Trump’s performative determination to drag the U.S. out of the HRC, Klasing identified, indicators to the remainder of the world that the U.S. is joyful to fully cede vital selections about human rights violations taking place throughout the globe to different international locations.
“This isn’t about President Trump thumbing his nostril on the establishment, as a substitute he’s simply demonstrating he’d quite make a callous present of rejecting human rights than do the work wanted to guard and promote human rights for folks in every single place, together with within the U.S.”
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