Libya Elected to Chair U.N. Human Rights Body

Reuters ^ | Mon, Jan 20, 2003 | Richard Waddington

[sf4dubya]

Libya Elected to Chair U.N. Human Rights Body 17 minutes ago

By Richard Waddington

GENEVA (Reuters) - Libya, under fire for years from human rights activists, was overwhelmingly elected Monday to chair the top United Nations (news - web sites)' rights body after the United States broke with tradition and forced a vote.

The North African country ruled by President Muammar Gaddafi (news - web sites) will preside at the March 17-April 25 session of the U.N. Human Rights Commission which meets annually to survey the rights situation around the world.

For the first time since the Commission was founded in 1947, the decision went to a vote after Washington said it could not "reward Libya's terrible conduct" and demanded a ballot.

Libya, which is still not fully free of U.N. sanctions imposed for its alleged role in the Lockerbie airliner bombing (news - web sites), had been nominated by African countries whose turn it was by U.N. tradition to make the choice.

The Libyan candidate, diplomat and former journalist Mrs. Najat al-Hajjaji, won 33 votes in a secret ballot of the 53-country Commission, with 17 states abstaining and three voting no -- apparently including the United States.

No country-by-country breakdown was immediately available, but the abstentions were believed to include European countries and some from Latin America.

The U.S. decision to force a vote was denounced as "a political challenge" by South Africa, which proposed al-Hajjaji on behalf of all African countries on the commission.

VIOLATED

South Africa's envoy Sipho George Nene said the United States move had violated a practice which had helped maintain cooperation on the commission and expressed the hope it would be the last time a proposed chairman was challenged.

"The right of regional groups to present candidates of their choice must be respected," he declared.

Nene later declined to challenge on behalf of the Commission's African group the nomination by Canada for the Western group of Australian envoy Mike Smith as one of the three vice-chairs to al-Hajjaj.

Her other two deputies -- also elected unopposed -- were envoys from Sri Lanka and Peru, representing the Asian and Latin American groups.

In a speech after her election, the Libyan diplomat -- who had been a vice-chair herself in 2001 -- said she and her colleagues "will do everything in her power to carry out the tasks entrusted to us." She said she as chariwoman she would avoid taking decisions on a personal basis "as far as possible" and would rely on the Commission's "collective wisdom."

She would be guided, she said, by the words of an early Islamic leader who told his followers that he had been chosen as their guide "but I am not the best among you....if I make mistakes, please help me to correct them."

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[DB]

The UN shows its true face again...

Let the Europeans ponder their new Islamic world view for a while...

[Joe Boucher]

Libya is not fit to be on the same planet as the civilized world much less be on any human rights commission. This should show the world isn't serious about the U.N.
Get the U.S. out of this anti u.S. joke.

[prairiebreeze]

This is a prime example of the ineffective, bogged-down committee mind-set of the UN. (aka United Neuters)

No wonder nobody has any faith in them!

[Thane_Banquo]

Yet more proof that the UN is a farce.

[Textide]

This is from the "Onion", right?

[sam_paine]

Heehee. I hope W includes this episode in his 2009 summary book of his two term presidency about how he allowed the UN to dismantle itsself. A guy can dream.

[Mr. Mojo]

Who's next?....... Sudan? Zimbabwe? Iraq? No. Korea? Iran?

[Uncle Miltie]

At times like these, Isolationism becomes attractive.

[Clive]

The guy with the clap is running the clinic.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

if there was ever any doubt about the usefulness of the United Nations...

[rbmillerjr]

The US was supposed to be demanding a voice vote on this: anybody have the vote list showing each nations vote?

[July 4th]

I couldn't find one yet, but it will probably be easy to come by later in the day. I do believe Canada voted no, however. Israel is not on the commission, but isseud a very strong opinion against her nomination. European nations are the abstainers, since nations like France like to get along with their former colonies and not rock the boat. This is Libya's new representative:

[Henchman]

I predict exile to LIBYA for Saddam. I predicted this in my 2003 predictions. Kadaffi is being rehabilitated. The US didn't shut him down at the UN. " Libya is elected to chair of UN Human Rights Commission." "K" wants to leave a legacy as a humanitarian. Rumsfeld would welcome exile - LIBYA - LIBYA LIBYA Wya

PS We won't go to war with North Korea either.

[joyful1]

This is dangerously nuts. And suits our corrupted culture!

[cake_crumb]

U.N. doctrine = Third Way socialism

Qadaffi doctrine = Third International Theory socialism

Coincidence?? I think not.

The UN embraces another terrorist. The UN is the enemy of freedom everywhere.

The actual name of Libya is Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

Libya signed but did not ratify the Nuclear Test Ban.

Qadaffi is the perfect poster boy of the UN's politics of world domination.

To be fair, Libya has one of the best literacy rates in the Arab world...we won't mention the sacrifice of goats to celebrate the murder of all passengers and crew aboard the Lockerbie flight, or the damages Qadaffi was assessed to pay to the families of the victims.

[nightdriver]

"The Libyan candidate, diplomat and former journalist Mrs. Najat al-Hajjaji, won 33 votes in a secret ballot of the 53-country Commission, with 17 states abstaining and three voting no -- apparently including the United States."

This is hardly even a legitimate vote, what with a third of the votes abstaining.

Does anyone have the figures on which countries are paid up on their dues and which aren't?

[Angelus Errare]

The vote was a secret one, if I recall correctly.

But seeing how Qadaffi already controls Liberia, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic and has strong ties to Zimbabwe and Sierra Leone, that already puts him ahead 6 votes of any other contestant. And if Mugabe backed Qadaffi, he would likely bring his fellow travelers in South Africa, Namibia, and Angola along with him. So that already starts Qadaffi out with a 9 vote lead.

Because Qadaffi's an Arab and will use his new power to demonize Israel, Tunisia, Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, and Somalia would all vote along with him, thus bringing the total to 14. That already makes him the strongest candidate from the get-go and is probably enough to bring most other nations against him. He received 33 votes total.

Of the 14 who voted against him, most are probably US allies (Morocco, Algeria, Ethiopia, Kenya) or countries that have already experienced the benevolence of Qadaffi's power over the last 30 years (Uganda, Chad, Ivory Coast).

That's probably the best way to break the vote down.

[NetValue]

Proof that the UN is a body without principles.

[theFIRMbss]

>Libya Elected to Chair U.N. Human Rights Body

Afghanistan, we
attacked. Iraq, we're getting
ready to attack.

I'd rather we put
one smart bomb into every
United Nations'

building all over
the world. Let's turn those
places into parks...

[cake_crumb]

"Who's next?....... Sudan? Zimbabwe? Iraq? No. Korea? Iran?"

Wasn't Sudan picked to head the Human Rights Council in 2000...the same year the UN summarily kicked the United States, which STARTED the Human Rights Council, OFF of it?

[dead]

Libya, which is still not fully free of U.N. sanctions imposed for its alleged role in the Lockerbie airliner bombing

Generally, a news organization will drop the “allegedly” after there is a conviction (which there was) and the perpetrator even agrees to compensate the victim’s families (which Libya has.)

Of course, if the news organization has an anti-American agenda, they might just keep the “allegedly” hanging around in case their readers are typically a little short on the facts.

[joyful1]

Ya'know boys, I'm beginning to wonder if USA really does have proof of Saddam's WMD.

The truth is Saddam's got 'em, but the truth also is that Saddam is move clever than both Bushes, and any other American politician.

The truth sounds pessimestic, but I'm saying it...we're doomed.

[rbmillerjr]

Lighten up, grab a beer and frozen Omaha steak...and watch Iraq crumble.

[TonyRo76]

The truth sounds pessimestic, but I'm saying it...we're doomed

Kindof an ironic screen name for ya, isn't it?! ;)

[EternalVigilance]

South Africa's envoy Sipho George Nene said the United States move had violated a practice which had helped maintain cooperation on the commission and expressed the hope it would be the last time a proposed chairman was challenged. "The right of regional groups to present candidates of their choice must be respected," he declared.

The new rulers of South Africa, with their long-standing Communist connections, would feel a great deal of affinity for Qadafi.

No one should should be surprised that Africa, and the UN, are wastelands.

[WOSG]

It is from the Onionated Nations.

A parody of what an intenational body should be.

[WOSG]

Zero money should go to any nation that supported Libya on this commission.

South Africa's support of this is abominable.
As is their adiing and abetting of the dictator Mugabe.

[ARCADIA]

We give the UN way too much press. The local barbershop debate is more substantive and just about as meaningful.

[Veggie Todd]

Libya in charge of human rights? Hmmm...I think I'll name myself in charge of booze and hookers. Yeah, that's the ticket.

[George W. Bush]

At least, the boys and girls at the U.N. still have a sense of humor and an appreciation of irony.

Next, they plan on awarding a posthumous award for humanitarianism to Joeseph Stalin.

[headsonpikes]

It's absolutely fitting that Libya should chair the U.N.'s Human Rights Commission.

Naysayers should be ashamed of themselves.

Who better represents the spirit of that august body?

Well, okay, Cuba, perhaps.

[Grampa Dave]

Sam posted:Heehee. I hope W includes this episode in his 2009 summary book of his two term presidency about how he allowed the UN to dismantle itsself. A guy can dream.

GW is too modest to do this. However, someone like Condi Rice or Powell might just write this book. I think that he is doing the same thing to the Euro Trash's NATO.

[concerned about politics]

Libya Elected to Chair U.N. Human Rights Body 17 minutes ago

I'm beginning to think the whole world is incompetent.
50% of the U.N. members are totally insane. The other 50% are clinically certifiable.
I want another planet to colonize. This one has an incurable anti-think virus.

[Dan from Michigan]

Libya? You gotta be f'ing kidding me.

[cake_crumb]

"As is their adiing and abetting of the dictator Mugabe."

Propping up dictators is all the UN is good for anymore.

[Keith]

"Libya Elected to Chair U.N. Human Rights Body"

What's next?

ARAFAT TO HEAD B'NAI BRITH?

you gotta be kidding me...

[Domestic Church]

This is ludicrous! The UN is now another arm of the socialist movement. Dump it in the East River.

[Domestic Church]

"U.N. doctrine = Third Way socialism "

Exactly...they have become the enemy.

[Lizavetta]

I nominate Rosie O'Donnell as Chairperson of the Presidential Fitness Council.

Has just as much humor as the Libya vote, doesn't it?

[cake_crumb]

"Exactly...they have become the enemy."

Yep.

[Jumper]

This is a bad joke, especially after Lybia admitted to blowing up a plane with US Servicemen aboard; terrorism within the international community is rewarded by the UN again.

[TexasRepublic]

... in other news, Mr. Fox was elected to chair the Henhouse Safety Committee ...

[Once-Ler]

Not only does this show the UNs irrelevence, but where is Amnesty Internetional...I suspect they are hiding in the same place that NOW hides when President Clinton rapes women.

[Tailgunner Joe]

[Bonaparte]

"Sudan?"

Sudan, the genocidal slave-trading state, has already been named to the commission.

[F16Fighter]

Just how much longer should we humor these jackals at the UN??

And isn't it past high time for Dubya and the U.S. to not only oust this front for evil from our shores, but refuse continue funding this obvious international blueprint for America's own destruction?

We appear to be paying for our own execution. WHY??

[dfwgator]

What do you expect from a body that had a unapologetic Nazi as it's Secretary General?