Israel expected to boycott UN human rights scrutiny session

[Scurrilous]

Despite US objection, Israel to be no-show at its turn before UN Human Rights Commission annual scrutiny of UN members

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4336858,00.html

<snip>

"Israel is expected to boycott a session of the UN Human Rights Council next week despite the United States urging its ally to show up for an examination of its record, the US ambassador said on Thursday.

The Jewish state is scheduled to be in the dock of the Geneva rights forum on Tuesday, Jan. 29 as part of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, the council's regular scrutiny of all United Nations member states.

"They (Israeli officials) signalled that they want it postponed. It is very unlikely they will participate on the 29th," Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe, US human rights ambassador, told reporters in Geneva.

If the review goes ahead, Israel would likely face criticism for its practices in the Palestinian territories, including treatment of detainees, settlement expansion and its naval blockade of the Gaza Strip which Palestinians say is collective punishment of the enclave's 1.6 million residents."

[Scootaloo]

1. Obviously operating on the "Invisible Five Year-old" Principle

"If I don't look they can't see me!"

[sabbat hunter]

8. considering who is on the UNHRC

and their recent past, the UNHRC is a complete joke and farce.

[azurnoir]

2. Really I'm shocked

especially considering how we're being told that a new "leftist" government was elected

[aranthus]

6. Why do you think that the UNHRC is worth going to? n/t

[azurnoir]

9. what is wrong with it , even Israel's most loyal supporter that being the US encourages it

and refusing makes it appear as though Israel is hiding something IMO

[aranthus]

11. What's right with it?

Do you think that the UNHRC is moral? Do you think that it actually helps the cause of human rights? If so, how does it do that?

[Jefferson23]

3. Yea, postponed, indefinitely. How difficult is it to have someone show up and say, security,

security..uh, I mean deterrence.

[shira]

4. The entire progressive/liberal population should boycott the UNHRC....

...for having slave-holding Mauritania and genocidal Sudan (among other serial abusers of human rights) elected onto its HR councils. In 2010, Libya was voted in by 155 nations.

That the anti-Israel contingent is 100% supportive of these inhumane, racist UN councils just goes to show their HR agenda is indistinguishable from UNHRC beacons of humanity like Mauritania and Sudan.

Something to really be proud of, BTW.

[aranthus]

14. It's only the Progressives and further Left who don't think it's a problem. n/t

[holdencaufield]

5. Durban I/II -- The series

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

7. If I was representing Israel I wouldn't show up either.

How could I go before the UNHRC with a strait face and plead ignorance of the charges most likely to fall on my country?

I'd bet that Israel is just ashamed enough not to show up but not so ashamed as to stop the policies altogether.

[Purveyor]

10. Indeed! +1 eom

[Scurrilous]

12. Israel Is a No-Show at Its UN Human Rights Review

<snip>

"Israel became the first nation to skip a U.N. review of its human rights record without giving a reason — and then won a precedent-setting deferral Tuesday.

The president of the U.N.'s top rights body, Polish diplomat Remigiusz Henczel, declared Israel a no-show at a meeting in Geneva and then reconvened the 47-nation Human Rights Council to decide what to do.

Israel had asked Henczel in January to postpone the review but did not provide a public explanation.

"This is a rather unique step which has never happened in the past," said German U.N. Ambassador Hanns Heinrich Schumacher.

But after a debate, the council unanimously agreed to defer the review until its next session in October and November at the latest. It took also take it up earlier.

Henczel said the compromise would set a precedent for "how to deal with all cases of non-cooperation" in the future."

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/israel-show-rights-review-18343367

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

13. Give Israel credit. It is just rying to defern the who embarrassing mess

until all of the West bank is eaten up by piece loving settlers. That way Israel can say "What West bank are you talking about? There's no West Bank that we know of!"

[shira]

15. Israel giving the racist UN 2 middle fingers! Nice job, Israel. n/t

[shira]

16. How did Syria's Universal Periodic Review go?

During the UPR, country representatives turn up in Geneva while diplomats from other states proceed to make comments and recommendations on improving the country's human rights record. Since the country can “accept” or “reject” those recommendations, it is in its interest to line up friendly participants, a disingenuous role willingly played only by rogue states. At the end, the President of the Council thanks the country concerned, regardless of the statements made by its representatives, the recommendations it has rejected, or its actual human rights record.

So here’s how the UPR rubber hit the road of crimes against humanity in Syria. On October 7, 2011, the Syrian vice-minister of foreign affairs and his entourage took their places in the Council chamber. And then the Cubans said: “the Syrian government is working for the human rights of its people.” The North Koreans said: “we commend Syria on its efforts taken to maintain security and stability.” The Iranians said: “we appreciate the efforts of the government of Syria to promote and protect human rights.” Ditto Sudan, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Algeria, Lebanon, China, Zimbabwe, Burma/Myanmar, and so on.

Four days later, on behalf of the three countries charged with compiling recommendations, Mexico reported to the Council: “Syria received a total of 179 recommendations…It is a pleasure to inform you that 98 recommendations were accepted and 26 shall be considered.” Among the recommendations that "did not enjoy the support" of Syria were “immediately end attacks on peaceful protesters and bring violators to account,” “put an end to secret detentions” and “allow journalists to freely exercise their profession.” At the end of this stage of the UPR, the President of the Council turned to Syria and signed off with “I thank both you and your delegation for your participation in the UPR.”

http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdContributors/Article.aspx?id=301408

Now who the fuck here isn't offended by the UN's Universal Periodic Review of Syria?