The 9th Session on Human Rights is fond of statements, of pointing out the obvious, the atrocious. It is its duty to bring world attention to the baser instincts of human nature. But translated into action these causes often lack the will and sincerity of governments.
Yesterday morning, Hillel Nueur of the United Nations Watch criticized the Council for failing to take action when it learned of gross human rights violations. In particular, Mr Nueur addressed the council's failings over Darfur.
He also condemned Sudan and the African Group's desire to eliminate the Special Rapporteur on the situation on human rights in Sudan. He then said the Council had so far only addressed two of the 20 worse human rights abusers.
Last year's Human Rights Council president Ambassador Luis Alfonso de Alba of Mexico banned Nueur's speech from the record. Nueur's outrage over the inaction on Sudan was palpable. “What has this Council pronounced, what has this Council decided? Nothing,” he said. He also called the Council members despots. Classic and so so true. It's rare indeed when someone stands up to the establishment.
The problem with Mr Nueur is he speaks the truth and exposes the institutional hypocrisy of the Council's members. Wait – that's a good thing.
Below is the clip of the “banned” speech from the 2007 session. Enjoy…
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