UN creates new rights council over U.S. objections

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=143&sid=6551675&cKey=1142449530000

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday created a new U.N. human rights body by an overwhelming majority, ignoring objections from the United States.

Ambassadors broke out in sustained applause when the vote was announced: 170-4 with 3 abstentions. Joining the United States in a "no" vote were Israel, Marshall Islands, and Palau -- but not American allies in Europe or Canada.

Belarus, Iran and Venezuela abstained.

As the pre-eminent international rights watchdog, the 47-seat U.N. Human Rights Council is to expose human rights abusers and help nations draw up rights legislation.

[johnaries]

1. I remember when the US used to LEAD in the fight for

human rights.

Where's my country? :shrug:

[Poll_Blind]

2. "No" votes: United States, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau

Those four nations should be ashamed- but are obviously beyond shame in their attempt to quash this human rights body.

The whole world is watching. I'm thinking the Marshall Islands and Palau are easily bought. But Israel? Is Israel going to try to explain to the world that they, too, were bought or just that they, like America, commit their share of human rights abuses and don't need another group to harangue them about it?

This is what conservative governments do to great nations. America. Israel. Once great, now (and sadly for some time now) revealing just how empty their platitudes are.

The whole world is watching. The whole world remembers. The whole world does not work on a 24-hour news cycle of remembrance and forgetfulness.

Four nations against 170. One hundred and seventy nations which have more than their share of disagreements, some very serious, but who can all agree on the need for this new human rights body.

But there are 4 who cannot even agree on that. Despicable. But not to just this poster, not to any number of posters on any number of web forums.... No the world sees this despicable behavior and makes another note of it.

PB

[NYC]

3. Shameful.

I'm happy 170 nations voted in favor.

[leveymg]

4. When did Marshall Islands and Palau start torturing people?

The no-votes by the U.S. and Israel I understand.:(

[NNN0LHI]

5. Our "free press" says they are looking for Americas off shore torture sites

I can think of a couple of places to look at now.

Don

[Bushy Being Born]

6. 'WHY BOTHER?'

In response, Bolton told the assembly he could exercise his right of reply, "But on the other hand, why bother?"

Yeah, why fucking bother?? Geeze... Nice to see he's true to form. :grr: