US admits human rights shortcomings in UN report

[cal04]

Source: Associated Press

The Obama administration has told the United Nations that America's human rights record is less than perfect but stressed that the U.S. political system has built-in safeguards that promote improvements.

In its first-ever report to the U.N. Human Rights Council on conditions in the United States, the State Department said Monday that some Americans, notably minorities, are still victims of discrimination. Despite success in reforming such inequities as slavery and the denial of women's right to vote, the department said, considerable progress is still needed.

"Although we have made great strides, work remains to meet our goal of ensuring equality before the law for all," it said.

The report noted that although the U.S. now has an African-American president and that women and Hispanics have won greater social and economic success, large segments of American society suffer from unfair policies and practices.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100823/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_us_un_rights

[on point]

1. That's right! We prosecute for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Right???

[kpete]

2. US Admits Human Rights Shortcomings in UN Report

Source: Associated Press

Published on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 by Associated Press
US Admits Human Rights Shortcomings in UN Report
Participation in UN process is progress, says rights group, but plenty of room for improvement

by Matthew Lee

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration has told the United Nations that America's human rights record is less than perfect but stressed that the U.S. political system has built-in safeguards that promote improvements.

)The American Civil Liberties Union praised the administration for engaging with the council but said the report neglected to address key areas where the U.S. has not met its human rights obligations. Those areas include inhumane prison conditions, racial disparities in death penalty cases, and abuses in the immigration detention system.)The American Civil Liberties Union praised the administration for engaging with the council but said the report neglected to address key areas where the U.S. has not met its human rights obligations. Those areas include inhumane prison conditions, racial disparities in death penalty cases, and abuses in the immigration detention system.

.................

The 29-page report was submitted to the Human Rights Council on Friday but was not published until Monday. Members of the council, which the United States joined only last year, are required to submit reviews of their rights records. The report was the first "Universal Periodic Review" produced by the U.S.

In one of his first moves to reach out to the international community, President Barack Obama decided that the U.S. should run for a seat on the council. The Bush administration had shunned the panel for years over its alleged disproportionate criticism of Israel and membership that includes repressive regimes.

..........



Read more: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/08/24-1

[Demeter]

3. Like...Habeas Corpus? Nope

Like the 4th Amendment? Nope

6th Amendment?

7th?
8th?

Who is he trying to fool?

Well, then, how about the 10 Commandments?

Murder? Theft? False witness? Coveting thy neighbor's property?

Maybe you ought to sit down, shut up, and tend the store, Pres. Start looking backwards and fixing up what's broken.

[Alcibiades]

4. There they go again, apologizing to the world

We all know that it's always wrong to apologize, especially if there's something folks legitimately ought to apologize for.

[KansDem]

5. You mean waterboarding isn't fun and games?

Who wuddathunk it! :silly:

[fasttense]

6. So, is NOT torturing POWs included in those human rights obligations?

"The American Civil Liberties Union praised the administration for engaging with the council but said the report neglected to address key areas where the U.S. has not met its human rights obligations. Those areas include inhumane prison conditions.

So I guess torture of POWs was NOT included in the report and nor was failure to prosecute torturers included.

One baby step forward. When are we going to start walking like adults?

[underpants]

7. Good for us

this is actually bigger than the tiny steps these sort of things tend to take. Not a huge leap but a good move.