Hyde Measure to Tie UN Dues to Changes Passes U.S. House Panel

[cyberpj]

Hyde Measure to Tie UN Dues to Changes Passes U.S. House Panel

June 8 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. House International Relations Committee approved legislation today to withhold half of U.S. dues to the United Nations unless the world body overhauls its bureaucracy, bars dictatorships from human rights posts and installs a tougher internal watchdog.

The committee split roughly along party lines on the bill, with 25 Republicans voting for the measure and 20 Democrats, along with two Republicans, voting against.

``You can't have reform if you don't withhold dues,'' Republican Representative Henry Hyde, the panel's 81-year-old chairman, said today in Washington. ``You can wish. You can pray. You can do all sorts of things. But if you don't withhold the dues, it's an empty gesture.''

The U.S., which hosts the UN's headquarters in New York, is the largest contributor to the organization's budget. President George W. Bush's fiscal 2006 spending plan calls for $1 billion for UN peacekeeping, in addition to the 22 percent the U.S. contributes to the world body's separate, $1.1 billion operating budget.


http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=aTBZd_c_PQ9E&refer=us

[cyberpj]

1. addressing the deplorable state of the current commission on Human Rights

Hyde's bill would establish an independent board to oversee the existing Office of Internal Oversight Services and both bodies would have independent budgets. This new body would also oversee the UN's audit board, could investigate mismanagement and wrongdoing, take steps to protect whistleblowers and end single- bid contracts.

The bill would bar countries from human rights panels if they failed to uphold the Universal Declaration of Human Rights or had been sanctioned by the Security Council.

``This provision addresses the deplorable state of the current Commission on Human Rights and prevents countries such as Cuba and Sudan to act as arbiters of human rights,'' Hyde's office said.

Annan already has proposed to overhaul the rights commission.

The bill mandates that peacekeepers who engage in misconduct be held accountable, and that independent investigators and auditors monitor peacekeeping operations.

[Maple]

2. Seems pretty silly

A complete overhaul is already being voted on this fall.

[LisaM]

3. Since when do we pay our dues anyway?

I thought we were years behind. What kind of an empty threat is this?

[underpants]

4. There is some payment yearly (I think) but we are in arrears

I started a thread on it a few weeks ago with little response. As far as I can tell the US does pay a small amount (again I am not sure about that) but most of our "payment" is in the former of military personnel even though, as of 2002, Germany had the most soldiers on UN deployments.

Ted Turner paid $800,000,000 a few years ago ( earmarked for childrens' poverty programs) and that is the last payment the US has made other than a small yearly amount.

[LisaM]

5. Sorry I didn't respond but there are so many horrible things going on

it's hard to keep up with them all. I'm beginning to think this is a strategy - just keep doing so much terrible stuff that no one can keep track (which is why my personal strategy would be to fight them on everything.)

[City Lights]

7. I'm with you on that, LisaM.

Their shit is coming from all directions and it's hard to keep up with all of it.

[getmeouttahere]

8. You've got it right, LisaM...

they think they can bury us in all their shit...we just have to keep our eyes on the ball.

[cyberpj]

10. I've voiced this same thought myself - scatter the problems and

they'll have to scatter to address them.

Whicy is why, actually, my first thought was to be laser targetd on election reform and VOTER VERIFIED PAPER BALLOTS.

If we don't correct election fraud they can keep winning forever.

[City Lights]

6. Who votes to withhold their dues (taxes) until we see government reform?

"You can't have reform if you don't withhold dues,'' Republican Representative Henry Hyde, the panel's 81-year-old chairman, said today in Washington. "You can wish. You can pray. You can do all sorts of things. But if you don't withhold the dues, it's an empty gesture.''

I say enough with the empty gestures. It's time to start withholding dues.

[cyberpj]

11. I would LOVE to see that become a movement. nt.

[donkeyotay]

9. Republicans want to uphold the UN Declaration of Human Rights?

The one whose preamble begins:

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the commonpeople,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law…

The Declaration that says in Article 5 that, “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.” And in Article 8 that “Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.”

That “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile. (Article 9) and that “Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him. (10).

Is congreeman Hyde aware this international agreement proclaims: “Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.”(11) and that “Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.” (30)

http://www.un.org/rights/50/decla.htm

[Chicago Democrat]

12. Please Donate today to Christine Cegelis who almost beat Hyde in 04!

Please donate today for this close race and possible Democratic pickup. But the GOP is sure to have millions!


Last time Cegelis got 44% to Hydes 56%

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/IL/H/06/index.html


Please donate today! Early money is the MOST IMPORTANT!
Please give before June 30!


http://www.cegelisforcongress.org/