EU Should Fill Leadership Void on Human Rights (HRW)

[oberliner]

(Washington, DC, January 11, 2007) - With US credibility undermined by the Bush administration’s use of torture and detention without trial, the European Union must fill the leadership void on human rights, Human Rights Watch said today in releasing its World Report 2007.

Today marks five years since the United States first sent detainees to Guantanamo. The Bush administration has proven largely incapable of providing leadership on human rights, while China and Russia are embracing tyrants in their quest for resources and influence. But rather than assuming the leadership mantle, the European Union's approach is mired in procedures that emphasize internal unanimity and rotation over the effective projection of EU influence to protect human rights, said the 556-page volume's introductory essay.

"Since the US can't provide credible leadership on human rights, European countries must pick up the slack," said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch. "Instead, the European Union is punching well below its weight."

http://hrw.org/englishwr2k7/docs/2007/01/10/global15039.htm

[mmonk]

1. Yep

They need to crap or get off the pot. They've always said they wanted a chance to lead. That time has come.