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May 20, 2005
Torturers Need Not Apply
Illinois Republican Henry Hyde is introducing yet another bill aimed at crippling what remains of the already severely-battered international institution that is still called “United” “Nations,” often against evidence.
In all fairness, there are some elements of the bill that would be a step forward, such as the provision that would bar human rights violators from serving on U.N. human rights bodies:
The "United Nations Reform Act of 2005" targets a panoply of issues that have troubled critics of the United Nations, particularly Republicans, for years. Among other things, it would seek to cut funding for programs seen as useless and bar human rights violators from serving on U.N. human rights bodies.
Umm, yes. That would be great, actually, Mr. Hyde. Nations that systematically practice torture, impose collective punishment, wage aggressive wars, illegitimately occupy other countries and otherwise blatantly violate a collective, global understanding of minimal standards of protection accrued to personal and psychic integrity of human beings that has become known as “human rights” during a very bloody 20th century should not sit on U.N. human rights bodies, but should have to pay proportionate dues to international organizations -- because acting in a criminal fashion does not eliminate one’s responsibilities but on the contrary, adds to them.
Posted by zeynep at May 20, 2005 03:01 PM