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Recent Articles about International International Politics
US Military offers sale of 75 new fighter jets to Israel Oct 02 08 UN-GA Chief calls for adopting Resolution 181, the partition of Palest... Sep 20 08 United Methodists and Divestment: The Saga Continues Sep 06 08 Latest News ArticlesFatah's spokesman: Hamas maneuvers regarding the presidency term 12:07 Sun 12 Oct ISM to take part in olives picking in Gaza 11:42 Sun 12 Oct Israeli military detains two residents and demolishes a house in Bethlehem 11:24 Sun 12 Oct Extremists attack several Arab homes in Akka; more Israeli right wingers are flocking into the city 05:32 Sun 12 Oct 2000 sick detainees are imprisoned by Israel, facing medical negligence 20:35 Sat 11 Oct Hamas: “Fateh forces arrested 17 members and supporters” 20:25 Sat 11 Oct Report: Israeli settlers plan land takeover in Beit Sahour 19:59 Sat 11 Oct Haniyya: “Cairo meetings paved the way for dialogue” 22:11 Fri 10 Oct Tension still present in Akka 21:54 Fri 10 Oct Abu Marzouq, Amro, held a meeting in Cairo 21:14 Fri 10 Oct Full StoryUS government accuses UN body of “Israel bashing”The United Nations Human Rights Council, charged with addressing human rights abuses around the world, has been accused by US government officials of “bashing” Israel, because the body has accused Israel of human rights abuses against the Palestinian people.
Condoleezza Rice, the US Secretary of State, says that the US will withdraw from its seat on the Council, and will only deal with the Council when matters of “deep national interest” are in question. Other human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have called the US withdrawal "an abandonment of human rights defenders and victims."
The Council was formed in 2006, as a replacement for the discredited Human Rghts Commission. 47 member states participate in the Human Rights Council, and meet in Geneva to discuss and address human rights abuses by countries around the world. The US has opposed the Council since its start.
Juliette de Rivero of Human Rights Watch said, "Washington's hands-off approach to the Human Rights Council undermined it from the start. It's ironic that the US shares responsibility for the shortcomings it's now using to justify its withdrawal from the council."
According to US officials, the withdrawal comes because the Council has chosen to address human rights abuses by the state of Israel, abuses which the United States and Israel deny – despite widespread evidence to the contrary. |