Surprise, surprise ...
Much as expected, there was nothing remotely diplomatic or friendly about the recent European grand tour by the Cuban Minister for Foreign Affairs, Felipe Perez Roque.
It’s now been revealed that the real reason for Perez Roque’s trip was to gather support for the effective emasculation of the Geneva-based United Nations’ Human Rights Council.
The council is not much of a watchdog, to be sure, but at least it has the power to appoint special investigators – or rapporteurs – to look into specific human rights violations.
In the past, rapporteurs have been appointed to investigate human rights in Belarus, North Korea, Sudan, Chile (during the Pinochet era), the former Yugoslavia … and Cuba.
According to media reports, the Castro regime is leading a bid by a number of countries to strip the council of its power to appoint the rapporteurs, apparently because their appointment is “politically motivated” and “selective”.
The move by the regime in Havana has been attacked by human rights groups internationally, with activists warning that it will further erode the credibility of the UN, if successful.
Of course, you won’t be surprised to hear that the Castro regime has never allowed the special rapporteur on Cuba, the highly-respected French jurist Christine Chanet, to visit the island.
It’s now been revealed that the real reason for Perez Roque’s trip was to gather support for the effective emasculation of the Geneva-based United Nations’ Human Rights Council.
The council is not much of a watchdog, to be sure, but at least it has the power to appoint special investigators – or rapporteurs – to look into specific human rights violations.
In the past, rapporteurs have been appointed to investigate human rights in Belarus, North Korea, Sudan, Chile (during the Pinochet era), the former Yugoslavia … and Cuba.
According to media reports, the Castro regime is leading a bid by a number of countries to strip the council of its power to appoint the rapporteurs, apparently because their appointment is “politically motivated” and “selective”.
The move by the regime in Havana has been attacked by human rights groups internationally, with activists warning that it will further erode the credibility of the UN, if successful.
Of course, you won’t be surprised to hear that the Castro regime has never allowed the special rapporteur on Cuba, the highly-respected French jurist Christine Chanet, to visit the island.
posted by Luis M Garcia at 9:35 am
3 Comments:
Luis,
my friend ,just the fact that Cuba has become a member of the UN Human Rights Commision, is a travesty beyond belief! This is akin to have a Madam from a whorehouse, watch over the virtues of a Convent!!And Lybia and China in that UN Commission to boot! Well hell, why not Iran and Saudi Arabia too. And maybe some observers from ETA, the Colombian FARC, Sudan, and even some members of the Taliban to complete the Commision's good work. All the while the members from Hizzbollah and Hamas act as Chairman and co-chairman of the Commision. This would be laughable if it wasn't such a tragedy. The UN has lost any respect for itself. Strange times we live in. Indeed!
Since Cuba has the best human rights record in the western hemisphere, it is hardly surprising that she has been a powerful force in the UN HRC.
The U.N. has investigated U.S. allegations of human rights abuses in Cuba and found no evidence to support them. In fact, the U.S. lost its seat on the council after the U.N. investigated charges by Valladares.
Human Rights Watch Country Report in 1989 explains the Cuba connection and subtly suggests that the U.S. had to dump Valladares or get dumped itself, having abandoned any hope of credibility.
CassandraSays
BTW, the inner city gardens of Havana are producing over 4 million tons of produce per year. Coffee was the wrong crop choice but the idea wasn't totally off the wall.
"Since Cuba has the best human rights record in the western hemisphere, it is hardly surprising that she has been a powerful force in the UN HRC."
I laughed so hard when I read this statement, that I spilled my morning coffee! It takes some gall or no shame to write that nonsense. And where are the 4 milion tons of vegetables, no where to be seen in the dinner tables of the average Cuban. Obviously anonymous must be smoking some very powerful weed or is evident he/she does not live in Cuba.
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