Amidst Mideast Turmoil, Only Israel Galvanizes the UN Into Action

[shira]

With Iran violently suppressing demonstrators in the streets and Libya using brute force in the face of mass protests, it was reassuring to know that the UN sprang into quick action.

Just as it did after the rigged elections in 2009, Tehran was using arrests, live fire, torture and intimidation to confront those challenging the regime. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council members gathered on Feb. 18 in New York.

The members solemnly deliberated as reports from Libya suggested that hundreds of peaceful protesters were slain by government forces with the help of foreign mercenaries.

There's only one small problem. The UN Security Council met to discuss neither the situation in Iran nor Libya, but, surprise of surprises, Israel. Meanwhile, the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council, charged with monitoring and protecting human rights, was also nowhere to be found when it came to Iran and Libya.

more...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-harris/amidst-mideast-turmoil-on_b_825797.html

[whosinpower]

1. Cue the violins.....

David Harris whines about the security council meeting on February 18 because it was requested by the PA and put forth its resolution regarding settlements.....and then states that the UN has dropped the ball, so to speak on the situation developing in Libya.

Not so fast David......


And we should also be aware of the timeline of the Libyan protest....when things went really bad on the evening of the 18th, 19 up to the current day.

http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=209334

snip - Meeting convened at urging of Libyan UN mission diplomats; UN rights chief: Attacks on civilians "may amount to crimes against humanity."

The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday was expected to hold a consultation on the ongoing violence in Libya.

The meeting in New York, which will take place at 9 a.m. US East Coast time, was convened at the urging of diplomats at the Libyan UN mission who took a stand against their government.

[shira]

3. Terry Glavine: The human rights community wakens to Libya

Check out the links within the article...

Terry Glavin: The human rights community wakens to Libya
http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/02/22/terry-glavin-the-human-rights-community-discovers-libya/

=====

David Harris is spot-on about the Useless Nations.

[whosinpower]

5. Good grief

The Arab league has denounced the attacks on civilians.
The UN has denounced the attacks on civilians.
The White House and the State department has denounced the attacks on civilians.
Over 70 human rights groups have denounced the attacks and have asked for more international pressure to get the violence to stop.

Terry Glavin, whom you apparently admire would rather bomb Libya - as per his last link to a photo.

And as much as human rights organizations have failed to change the regime, he would blame them rather than those who would rather prop up that very regime for its own purposes.....not unlike propping up Mubarek in spite of his human rights record.

Terry Glavin's blogs are empty. Oh, they criticise, but where the rubber meets the road - his only solution is.....yes....you guessed it....more violence. How silent he is to BP lobbying the UK to allow the lockerbie bomber to be released. How silent he is to BP doing business with Libya and giving it 24 billion for access to is offshore oil reserves. And when the people there have finally had enough - enough to face their fear, and revolt....he blames human rights organizations for SHIRKING THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES....

Obviously - anyone who writes for a magazine called the progegandist.....should not be taken as entirely truthful, or particularily insightful. Propeganda rarely is.

[shira]

6. Good grief is right...

The UN and major NGO's have been asleep at the wheel WRT Arab human rights throughout the middle east for many years. They've wasted far more energy, time, and resources scapegoating Israel rather than putting in the proper effort into situations that have resulted in what we see today. Not surprising considering the constitution of the UN, with far more non-free totalitarian states outnumbering the free liberal ones.

In fact, the UN Human Rights Commission is still silent WRT the happenings in Libya and Iran. Remember, Libya is on the UNHRC and was voted in by 3/4 of 192 UN member nations. It's now obvious why Libya and other rogue nations pine to get onto the UNHRC (to cover their arsses via misdirection).

Glavin easily has more credibility than a UN that votes Libya onto its Human Rights council, as well as major NGO's and many of their twisted sponsors and cheerleaders who tolerate the UN and carry on its agenda of misdirection while masquerading as champions of universal human rights.

Tell you what, find me sources you respect that call out the UN and major NGO's for what they truly are. If you can't do that, your trusted sources can't hold a candle to Terry Glavin.

[whosinpower]

13. What do you expect them to do - exactly

Do you think the HRC should have more power to force nations to do the right thing? They should sanction repressive regimes? Embargo's? Force corporations and companies to cease operations within those regimes? What - pray tell. You would give them that power? Really?

The ideology of isolation does not work. North Korea is a beacon of freedom....(snark) And your illustrious Terry Glavin is absolutely devoid of ideas that would allow, encourage progressive human rights. He would just bomb them. Yeah - THAT WORKS. (Afghanistan...Iraq...) Sure it does....I mean....Hamas is practically non-existant.

Criticise the UN and the HRC for failing their mandate all you want. I do too. But, the key difference between us is that I understand what the UN is - and you apparently do not. And if you have issues with the UN and the HRC - why don't you take it up with the permanent members who hold veto power? They are the ones who hold the keys, direct or allow misdirection, allow the UN power and influence, or keep it toothless. They are the kingmakers and monarchy within a facade of a democratic institution.

[shira]

14. Their mandate - their job

They should be doing to other countries what they've been doing to Israel ever since their inception. That's what they should do.

Glavin is only advocating a drone to take out Gaddafi. He's not a warmonger itching for yet another conflict.

If you understand what the UN is, then please direct me to someone you believe is better than Glavin - someone or some organization that knows what the UN and the major NGO's are all about. I suspect your sources are rarely if ever critical of the UN and crooked NGO's Glavin advocates against, nor do they articulate any skepticism about their work/claims.

You can't just bang away at Glavin while putting your trust in sources that pretend circuses like the UN are legit.

[whosinpower]

17. Israel?

Do you believe that the HRC has been effective at instigating progressive change in Israel?

That is your example?

[shira]

19. No.

The HRC does the bidding of extreme rightwing 3rd world totalitarian countries, so they're not at all interested in instigating progressive change anywhere.

What they should do is use the same energy and passion they have in their hatred vs. Israel against real perpetrators of injustice.

[bemildred]

2. UN Security Council Meets Today to Discuss Violence in Libya

The United Nations Security Council will meet today to discuss the situation in Libya, where a violent crackdown on anti-government demonstrators has left hundreds dead.

The consultations are scheduled to start at 9 a.m. in New York. Ibrahim Dabbashi, deputy ambassador and second in command at the Libyan mission, broke with Tripoli and called on the UN to establish a “no-fly zone” around the country to prevent mercenaries and arms from going to the government.

“This is something which the Security Council will have to decide,” Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told reporters in Los Angeles yesterday, according to a transcript of the news conference. In a 40-minute phone conversation with Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi, Ban “forcefully urged him to stop violence against demonstrators.”

Qaddafi, in comments broadcast on state television today, said he hasn’t fled the country amid an eruption of violence the International Federation for Human Rights says has killed more than 300 people. Planes and helicopters fired on protesters and witnesses reported massacres in two neighborhoods of Tripoli, Al Arabiya TV said.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-22/un-security-council-meets-today-to-discuss-violence-in-libya.html

[azurnoir]

4. Arab League suspends Libya as deadly crackdown persists

The Arab League on Tuesday suspended Libya from its sessions in light of a violent crackdown on anti-government protests, Qatari news network Al Jazeera reported.

The decision came at an emergency meeting held by the Arab League in Cairo to discuss the situation in Libya.

<snip>

Meanwhile at least three Muslim countries joined a call for the UN's premier human rights body to hold an urgent meeting on the situation in Libya.

Jordan, Qatar and the Maldives were among the 16 signatories needed to call an emergency session of the U.N. Human Rights Council on Friday, according to a list obtained by The Associated Press.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/arab-league-s...

[shira]

7. U.N. Condemns Libya but Fails to Probe Civilian Killings

According to diplomatic sources, at least one member insisted that language calling for an independent investigation be removed from the statement.

Human rights groups quickly denounced the Council's timidity. "Libya's deadly actions to date require a much stronger response from the Security Council if it is to live up to its often-repeated pledges to protect civilians," said Philippe Bolopion, U.N. advocacy director for Human Rights Watch. "At minimum, the Security Council should act now to impose a travel ban and an asset freeze on senior Libyan officials and military commanders found to be responsible for grave human rights violations."

"The Council also should immediately impose an arms embargo on Libya, and support U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay’s call for an investigation into what she has described as 'widespread and systematic attacks against the civilian population may amount to crimes against humanity'," he added.
http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=54574

[shira]

8. At the UN, the silence of the HRC is predictably thunderous

Where is the United Nations Human Rights Council? As the Libyan government deploys tanks, helicopter gunships and military aircraft against its own people, many are asking this question, including United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay. In a statement issued on Tuesday Ms. Pillay — whose office is separate from the council itself — denounced the “callousness” of the government of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and stated that she expected the council to call a special session and support the call for an international inquiry.

The UNHRC’s thundering silence might be explained, of course, by the fact that it counts Libya as a member. Bahrain, China, Cuba, India, Jordan, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia and 10 other Islamic states occupy nearly half of its 47 seats. Convening a special session requires the endorsement of 16 countries; since the UNHRC’s African and Middle Eastern members tend to vote as a block, it is small wonder that the organization has yet to act on the violence in Libya.

more...
http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/02/22/national-post-editorial-board-at-the-un-the-silence-is-predictably-thunderous/

[azurnoir]

9. UNHRC has called an emergency meeting with Qatar , Jordan, and the Maldives signing on

Meanwhile at least three Muslim countries joined a call for the UN's premier human rights body to hold an urgent meeting on the situation in Libya.
Jordan, Qatar and the Maldives were among the 16 signatories needed to call an emergency session of the U.N. Human Rights Council on Friday, according to a list obtained by The Associated Press.
The decision to convene an urgent meeting on Libya is unusual

http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/arab-league-suspends-libya-as-deadly-crackdown-persists-1.345096


same as post above with corrected and working link

[shira]

10. The decision to convene an urgent meeting on Libya is unusual...

For some reason you only posted a sentence fragment.

:eyes:

Here's the whole line and then some...

The decision to convene an urgent meeting on Libya is unusual for the Geneva-based council as it rarely votes to scrutinize the record of its own members. Libya has a seat on the 47-nation body.

[azurnoir]

11. Oh oh you got me 'cause no one knows Libya is on the UNHRC

but got news shira most people do know from reading your posts

but under the circumstances it's ok do you feel better now?

[shira]

15. So your selective editing was just a mistake? n/t

[azurnoir]

16. actually I was repeating a post I made earlier

in part to correct the link as it was well past edit time, and pared it down to info that was pertanate to the post, but you must really think that no one actually reads the linked articles or nope I wasn't trying to 'hide' anything, why would I, you must believe for some reason the info not in the snip was more important that the info contained

eta look at post #4 on this thread

[LeftishBrit]

12. Here's a petition for those who want to demand that the UNSC takes more action on Libya

http://www.avaaz.org/en/libya_stop_the_crackdown/?cl=953317405&v=8458

[whosinpower]

18. UNHRC set to debate suspending Libya's membership

snip - The United Nations’ Human Rights Council (HRC) is due to debate the suspension of Libya from the 47-member body when it holds a special session in Geneva on Friday to condemn the violence taking place there.

The meeting marks the first time in the council’s five-year history that it is holding a special session regarding one of its own members.

On Thursday, diplomats in Geneva strengthened the language of the draft resolution, submitted by the European Union, to include a call to the UN General Assembly in New York to suspend Libya from the HRC, another unprecedented move.



http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=209774

[oberliner]

22. Where was this debate during the past 40 years of Gaddafi's rule?

Maybe they can look into opening up a similar debate about North Korea and other brutal dictatorships.

[shira]

23. Must've somehow come as a shock to the UN and NGO's how nasty Gaddafi is. n/t

[oberliner]

27. The hypocricy with respect to the Qaddafi regime and the UN is ridiculous

Look at the positions of prestige accorded to representatives of Qaddafi's regime in the United Nations.

[shira]

50. What do you expect when fellow DU'ers had no problem with Libya being on the UNHRC? n/t

[whosinpower]

20. Probe Libya for possible crimes against humanity

http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/un-rights-chief-probe-libya-for-possible-crimes-against-humanity-1.345690

UN rights chief: Probe Libya for possible crimes against humanity


snip - The United Nation's top human rights official said Friday reports of mass killings of thousands in Libya should spur the international community to step in vigorously to end the crackdown against anti-government protesters in the North African country.

snip - "This is a test of the council and the willingness of some of its more active members, such as Pakistan, South Africa, Cuba, Saudi Arabia, to take a principled stand on human rights," he said.

In Brussels, NATO planned to hold an emergency meeting Friday to consider the deteriorating situation in Libya. It had received no requests to intervene and said it would only do so if it were given a United Nations mandate.

The UN Security Council also planned to meet later Friday in New York to consider actions against Gadhafi's regime.

French Foreign Minister Michele Alliot-Marie said France and Britain would press the Security Council for a total embargo on weapons as well as sanctions, and also the referral of a case to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.

The Security Council rarely does so, but ordered an investigation into crimes in Darfur in 2005.

[oberliner]

21. Sad example of exactly the problem noted in the OP

Good of that official to call out Pakistan, South Africa, Cuba, Saudi Arabia and others to talk a stand on this issue.

Representatives from those nations show no hesitation to criticize Israel in the UN for human rights violations, yet need to be prodded into doing so with respect to Libya.

And who knows if they will even respond to the prodding!

[shira]

24. Imagine what 30-40 years of UN condemnation vs. Libya might've achieved.

And against Egypt, Syria, etc...

[azurnoir]

25. Perhaps the people of Libya, Syria, and Egypt should have began

mass protests on the level we're seeing today as the Palestinians did

[oberliner]

29. What does this mean?

Are you talking about the intifada?

[azurnoir]

30. well if you do not understand then perhaps you should

brush up on history, but then of course Libya, Egypt, and Syria are not the creations of UN mandates

[oberliner]

36. I am sorry but I still do not understand

What history are you talking about?

I am really confused here by the point you are making.

Could you just spell it out?

[shira]

32. So you're okay with the UN's work WRT Libya, Egypt, and Syria the past 30-40 years? n/t

[azurnoir]

33. apparently the citizens of those countries were or at least

did not to my knowledge petition the UN for any action

[shira]

34. Wow - seriously? Those are closed societies where the penalty for dissent is death.

Wow.

[azurnoir]

35. you mean like Gaza?

however in 2 of the 3 you mentioned the people have revolted

[shira]

37. Yes, now do you still believe the UN is justified for not criticizing Hamas, Libya, Syria, Egypt...

...in the past few years?

[azurnoir]

39. first to answer your question it would have to be factual

and seeing as how the UN has indeed criticized Hamas and Libya to name two of the four your question is invalid as is the OP that launched this discussion which once the original premise had been shown to be untrue devolved to whining that the UN did not do it soon enough

[shira]

40. Okay, human rights in N.Korea, Darfur, Tibet, and Zimbabwe is rarely discussed at the UNHRC

You think the UNHRC is credible in light of that?

And that 75% the UN is justified voting in Libya onto the UNHRC?

[azurnoir]

41. yes the UNHRC is credible on all four of those and has dicussed and

made motions concerning all of the countries you mentioned

[shira]

42. So the UNHRC is doing its job in your opinion? n/t

[azurnoir]

43. sort of it could probably do more but to be honest I am really not sure

how much power it has to enforce it's findings

[shira]

49. It could do more? Why was Libya on the UNHRC to begin with? n/t

[whosinpower]

52. Do you even know who the other members are?

Here is the list -
Angola (2013)
Bahrain (2011)
Hungary (2012)
Argentina (2011)
Belgium (2012)
Burkina Faso (2011)
Bangladesh (2012)
Poland (2013)
Brazil (2011)
France (2011)
Cameroon (2012)
China (2012)
Republic of Moldova (2013)
Chile (2011)
Norway (2012)
Djibouti (2012)
Japan (2011)
Russian Federation (2012)
Cuba (2012)
Spain (2013)
Gabon (2011)
Jordan (2012)
Slovakia (2011)
Ecuador (2013)
Switzerland (2013)
Ghana (2011)
Kyrgyzstan (2012)
Ukraine (2011)
Guatemala (2013)
United Kingdom (2011)
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (2013)
Malaysia (2013)
Mexico (2012)
United States (2012)
Mauritania (2013)
Maldives (2013)
Uruguay (2012)
Mauritius (2012)
Pakistan (2011)
Nigeria (2012)
Qatar (2013)
Senegal (2012)
Republic of Korea (2011)
Uganda (2013)
Saudi Arabia (2012)
Zambia (2011)
Thailand (2013)

The dates in brackets indicate when their membership is over. Each term is for three years, and they can sit on the council for two consecutive terms only. I've bolded those nations whom I believe have had recent protests from its citizens.

I can understand your outrage for Libya being on the council. It is a gross insult to the victims families of the lockerbie bombing....BUT, where is the outrage for Saudi Arabia????!!!??? Where were the editorials, comments, news and condemnations when it was elected? Or China? Cuba?!?

[shira]

55. Exactly my point - I agree! n/t

[whosinpower]

44. Never?

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=957&LangID=E

snip - 12 December 2006


Mr. President,
Distinguished Members of the Human Rights Council,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I welcome this opportunity to address you today at your fourth special session. The unrelenting tragedy in Darfur demands the commensurate engagement and vigilance of the Human Rights Council.

http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/13session/A-HRC-13-47.pdf

snip - Human Rights Council
Thirteenth session
Agenda item 4
Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human
rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,
Vitit Muntarbhorn*


http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/04E93C974F48F850C1257427002D7EAD?opendocument

snip - 10 April 2008


GENEVA -- United Nations Special Procedures mandate holders have today issued a joint statement of concern regarding the ongoing protests and reports of high numbers of arrests in the Tibet Autonomous Region and surrounding areas in China.




http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=8369&LangID=E
snip - Zimbabwe government and international community must do more

22 December 2008

GENEVA -- “The severe crisis affecting Zimbabwe is ravaging the country with alarming speed. The government and the international community must do more to rebuild the health system, end the cholera epidemic, and ensure adequate food for all people” say four human rights experts of the United Nations.


Oh - I see you edited your first post - regardless - these nations are discussed...

[shira]

45. Here's the current UN webpage WRT news in the MidEast...

http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocusRel.asp?infocusID=70&Body=Palestin&Body1=

What do you find wrong with this, if anything?

[whosinpower]

46. Look further shira

There are other areas of the world that the UN is also addressing.
There is Middle east, Which you linked to....there is also - Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Haiti, Iraq, food crisis, combating terrorism, Nepal, Sudan, Lebanon tribunal, Congo.....


Not satisfied with that - well then, let's see some of the meetings the UN had since you link made it appear that the Israeli-Palistine issue was the only thing the UN wanted to deal with -

http://www.un.org/en/unpress/index.asp
What is the very first thing...oh yeah - LIBYA.


Here are the latest press briefings -

http://www.un.org/en/unpress/moreBydocType.asp?docType=0
You'll be dissappointed that this list does not confirm your belief either.

[shira]

47. So you saw nothing wrong with the UN's MidEast news page?

Like nothing else is going on outside of Israel?

[whosinpower]

51. The title of your initial posting was

Amidst Mideast Turmoil, Only Israel Galvanizes the UN Into Action

This is not true. In regards to the Egyptian revolt - I do not recall anyone asking the UN to step in. In regards to the Tunesia uprising - I do not recall anyone asking the UN to step in. In regards to Jordan - I do not recall anyone asking the UN to step in. In regards to Libya - is Libya considered part of the middle east - or part of Africa?
In regards to the israeli-palistinian conflict - the UN has been involved for over 43 years. From the page you put forth, it is apparent that the peace process is still very much a goal that the UN wishes to continue with. You disagree with this position, I guess.

[shira]

56. What? Why should anyone have to ask the UN to step in with so much MidEast turmoil?

It should be a given they would they would step in.

It's ridiculous only Israel is mentioned WRT the UN's mideast page with all the MidEast upheaval now.

[whosinpower]

38. Only when the people themselves take matters into their own hands

Does the status quo change. And even that is fraught with peril and uncertainty.

[azurnoir]

26. UNHRC condemns Libya, orders probe, suspension

Diplomats on Friday unanimously condemned Libya, ordered a probe into possible crimes against humanity and recommended the country's suspension from the UN's top human rights body.

The decision came after Libyan diplomats at the United Nations in Geneva declared they were defecting to the opposition as international pressure built over his violent attempt to cling to power.

http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=209871

[oberliner]

28. May, 2011: Libya, Thailand elected to U.N. Human Rights Council

(Reuters) - Libya and Thailand were among 14 countries elected as new members of the U.N.'s top human rights body Thursday in a vote that rights advocates criticized as uncompetitive and "pre-cooked."

Angola, Mauritania, Uganda, the Maldives, Malaysia, Qatar, Moldova, Poland, Ecuador, Guatemala, Spain and Switzerland were also elected by the General Assembly for three-year terms on the 47-nation Human Rights Council, which is based in Geneva.

Both Libya and Thailand have been criticized by rights groups for their human rights records.

"The council elections have become a pre-cooked process that strips the meaning from the membership standards established by the General Assembly," said Peggy Hicks, global advocacy director at U.S.-based Human Rights Watch.

"States serious about the role the council can play in promoting human rights should push for competitive slates in all regions, and should be willing to compete for a seat themselves," she said.

Of the 14 states elected to the council, Libya received the fewest votes from members of the 192-nation General Assembly -- 155 -- but well over the 50 percent threshold needed to secure a seat.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/05/13/us-rights-un-idUSTRE64C5DM20100513

In May of this year, 155 of the 192 UN members thought Libya would be a fine candidate to sit on the Human Rights Council.

Stunning.

[azurnoir]

31. but that has apparently changed n/t

[oberliner]

48. Gee, that's terrific!

Qaddafi wasn't doing anything prior to now that warranted Libya being ineligible from sitting on the UN Human Rights Council?

[whosinpower]

53. How would you determine eligibility?

What would you base it on? By what standard - and who would write that standard?

[oberliner]

54. No dictatorships?

You can't have had the same person with absolute power ruling your country for more than say, twenty years?

That seems like a good starting point.

[shira]

57. Start with banning closed societies with no freedoms, basic rights...

http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=363&year=2010

Only free countries, or at worst partly free countries, should be represented at the UN.

And only free societies should sit on the UNHRC.