Headlines:
- Fiasco in the Making: UN Set to Reopen Durban Anti-Racism Conference
- European Parliament to Host Anti-Israel Hate-Fest
- UN Tampers with Official Records to Cover Up Human Rights Council Illegalities
- UN Chief Rebuked by Islamic States
- ECOSOC Endorses Chinese Retaliation Against NGOs Supporting Taiwan, Luxembourg Breaks With E.U. on Gay Rights
- Also Watched…
UN Chief Rebuked in Human Rights Council
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was rebuked by Islamic states in a recent meeting of the Human Rights Council, for having criticized its decision to institutionalize the censure of Israel. Read more
At its recently completed annual session, the UN’s Economic and Social Council slapped a one-year suspension on Liberal International, a non-governmental organization that allowed a delegate to the Human Rights Council to speak for Taiwan’s right to join the World Health Organization. Read more
Why Luxembourg Broke With the E.U. on Gay Rights
On a separate vote regarding the accreditation of a gay rights group from Quebec, some diplomats were, perhaps literally, out to lunch. An embarassing scene developed when the envoys from Indonedia and Luxembourg proved clueless as to what they were voting on. During the roll call vote, the Indonesian representative stalled as he turned around to colleagues to figure out what the vote was about. Although his country was expected to support the draft decision to reject the gay rights NGO, the apparently confused envoy abstained.
Also watched…
C | Peacekeepers for Darfur
The UN Security Council voted to send thousands of peacekeepers to protect civilians in Darfur. Although the blue helmets cannot be expected to forcibly confront Sudan, the new mission is a positive step. With Sudan already attempting to restrict their mandate, however, Darfur activists will need to stay vigilant.
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D | Sudan Elevated at Human Rights Council
Sudan, though only an observer, now represents the influential Arab group of states at the UN Human Rights Council. The next session begins on September 10, 2007, where Sudan, on behalf of the Arab group, is expected to introduce additional resolutions against Israel. Since its founding in June 2006, the council has condemned Israel on 11 separate occasions, but has kept silent regarding the UN’s 191 other countries. |