Birds of a Feather
As an instructive and useful method by which the United Nations can begin gradually its undertaking to potentially sensitize those of its member bodies congenitally allergic to recognizing the universality of human rights, the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, attempting to mobilize members' support and participation in monitoring abuses in member countries can't be thought of as a blazing success.Revolving committees comprised haphazardly of those countries recognized for their championing of, and internal respect for human rights find themselves aligned with countries with scant regard for human rights, but all work together for the ostensible purpose of defining and isolating instances of human rights abuses in member countries whose records they have been tasked with scrutinizing.
The committee then writes up a report to present it as an agreed-upon synthesis of information received and studied through the intervention of various complaining bodies, specific to the country whose record is under review. The final analysis leads to specific recommendations whereby the presiding committee feels the scrutinized country could take steps to rectify its record.
This study for the purpose of embarking on a slow but steady search for a procedure whereby all member countries would be held to account through this peer review process where no member countries are exempt from study and critique is meant to produce an objective view of countries' commitment to observing and practising internal human rights to benefit their populations.
In the case of Canada, Nigeria and India studying China's human rights record, taking into account complaints lodged by groups such as Amnesty International and other concerned human rights bodies, Canada listed as its specific concerns, the widespread use of the death penalty in China, its 're-education' through labour camps, and arbitrary detention of minorities such as Tibetans, Mongols and Uyghurs.
China's response through its ambassador in Geneva is that China respects human rights and utilizes its guiding "rule of law" mechanism. China emphatically denies Western charges of the use of torture or the jailing of dissidents; despite evidence presented to the contrary. But whatever it is that China finds it expedient to do, in support of its determined pacification and homogenization of its entire population to produce 'harmony', her means and methods are applauded by others.
Iran has generously commended China for its "overall strong commitment to human rights". And Iran knows very well what precisely constitutes human rights, from its own deep and abiding respect and dedication for same; inclusive of torture, summary executions, victimization of minority groups and discrimination against religions other than Islam. Oh, and yes, its universally deplored nuclear quest. And oops, threatening the existence of a neighbour.
China, recommends Iran's Farhad Mamdouhi, should continue to prosecute its determined campaign against free Internet use in its faultless struggle against racial hatred, defamation of religions and pornography. Ah, praise from high places, indeed. Code-speak for stifling free speech and cracking the government's whip against ethnic and religious minorities.
Egypt's praise for China is far better understood; that the country, given its 'challenges' inherent in balancing its population of 1.3-billion people, being conditional in its 'commitment' to protecting human rights. And yes, Egypt, another country that values the usefulness of capital punishment does "understand the need of China to keep the death penalty".
And since China forbears to execute minors and pregnant women, this alone is a sterling demonstration of their humane sensitivities to human rights' recognition.
China, moreover, is an "exceptional country" and its "millennium-long history and hard work have put to shame all those who have tried to criticize" the country, adroitly points out Cuba's representative. Dig at China's critics aside, that much is true.
And China has other friends as well, whose human rights-respecting authority is simply not to be overlooked. There is Venezuela, North Korea, Sudan, and Burma, please to remember. All countries to be reckoned with in their zeal to uphold their commitment to human rights.
Labels: Justice, Political Realities, United Nations
posted by Pieface @ Wednesday, February 11, 2009
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