The creation of a new Human Rights Council under the United
Nations General Assembly heralds the beginning of an overhaul of
the world body.
The UN is starting to respond to the tumultuous environment we
are living in.
This is a realistic and necessary move.
The General Assembly voted on Wednesday on a resolution setting
up the new council to replace the Geneva-based Human Rights
Commission, which had always been subject to reproach for its
declining credibility.
Finding fault with some countries for their violations of human
rights, the commission shielded others from criticism. Its lack of
credibility casts a shadow on the reputation of the UN as a
whole.
The new council will have 47 members. The first elections are
due on May 9, and its first session is planned on June 19,
according to the resolution.
This is the first step in a process of changing the world
organization.
The new council is expected to enjoy greater authority with a
higher status as a subsidiary body of the General Assembly, with an
increased number of meetings throughout the year, equitable
geographical representation and also voting rights associated with
membership.
The membership will be fairer because the council members will
be elected by the majority of the members of the General
Assembly.
Also, the suspension of membership for those countries that
commit gross and systematic violations of human rights will serve
as a Damocles sword for better protection of human rights all over
the world.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan hailed the establishment of the new
council as a "historic development that will help improve the lives
of millions of people worldwide."
The true test of the council's credibility will be the use that
the member states make of it.
The resolution recognizes the "importance of ensuring
universality, objectivity and non-selectivity in the consideration
of human rights issues, and the elimination of double standards and
politicization."
Still, it upholds the principles of co-operation and genuine
dialogue on which the promotion and protection of human rights
should be based.
Along with Israel, the Marshall Islands and Palau, the United
States voted against the resolution on the new council.
That the United States pledged to work co-operatively with other
member states to make the council as strong and effective as it can
be is positive note. Given the global influence the United States
has, its role in protecting human rights will set an example for
others.
Human rights issues have long been politicized by some countries
in order to point the finger at others with different systems,
cultures and religions.
It is essential that there should be a global approach to the
issue of human rights and a serious commitment to defending
them.
The new council is expected to be a place that combats prejudice
and cultivates a culture of respect, dialogue and tolerance to deal
with human rights issues.
It should be a place to promote and include human rights aspects
in the dialogue among civilizations, respecting positive
contributions of cultures as well as religious and cultural
diversity.
It must be said again that no affront to other civilizations,
cultures and religions is allowed, whatever the source or form.
Only when a culture of human rights that respects different
traditions becomes an integral part of humanity's moral patrimony
shall we be able to look to the future with serene confidence.
The resolution, however, is not a perfect one. It fails to give
sufficient attention to detail to concerns developing countries
have on human rights. Nor does it not annul the practice of the
country motion, which was a source of political confrontation at
the Human Rights Commissions.
However, we expect the new Human Rights Council to provide a
platform for hope.
(China Daily March 17, 2006)
