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Resources updated between Monday, March 25, 2013 and Sunday, March 31, 2013
March 29, 2013
Cuban UN representatives successfully convinced UN officials to change the room for a speaking engagement of a Cuban dissident. The new room was different from the one normally assigned for such events and too small for her audience. Yoani Sanchez was undeterred and told UN officials "it's time for the United Nations to 'come out of its lethargy and recognize that the Cuban government is a dictatorship.'" No chance of that, however.
Cuban Bullies at the U.N. Article
UN official has "confirmed that the United Nations was to move half of its international staff outside of the country...to Beirut and Cairo." In other words, they are going to observe the crimes against humanity from afar. Speaking about the UN investigator tasked in recent days with the job of determining whether chemical weapons have been used in Syria, a World Health Organization official said "the overall mandate of the mission had not yet been clarified." And why not?
Press Briefing - Geneva, Switzerland Development
March 28, 2013
After one of the all-time worst Israel-bashing sessions in the history of the UN Human Rights Council, the Obama administration released this statement: "U.S. leadership helped to keep the Council at the forefront of international efforts to promote and protect human rights." Later they added that the anti-Israel bias was a "challenge." Like telling Rosa Parks to sit down at the back and shut up because this bus is going places.
Key U.S. Outcomes at the UN Human Rights Council 22nd Session Development
Human rights authority Russia - which spent the last six years on the UN "Human Rights" Council - is now cracking down on international human rights NGOs operating in the country. Eight months ago, President Vladimir Putin signed a law demanding that NGOs which receive funding from abroad label themselves as "foreign agents". "Critics said the law was reminiscent of Soviet-era efforts to demonise foreigners and those "collaborating" with them." Now if only those same international human rights organizations spent as much time condemning Russia as they do Israel, maybe more people would care.
Russia raids human rights groups in crackdown on 'foreign agents' Document
The UN round-up of the latest session of the UN "Human Rights" Council says: "The Human Rights Council concluded its twenty-second regular session....after adopting two decisions, two Presidential statements, and 35 resolutions on a wide range of issues." Human rights for over 7 billion people the world over, and those "wide" range of issues? Six resolutions devoted to the condemnation of Israel alone. (And they call it "human rights.")
Human Rights Council Concludes 22nd Session After Adopting 39 Texts (Press Release) Development
The UN Security Council has been forced to voice its "deep concern" about aggressive action by Syrians (government and opposition) in the Golan Heights. Of course, they are particularly worried about "the increased risk the situation poses to United Nations personnel on the ground" including the firing on UN personnel and facilities, carjacking of UN vehicles and the detention of the 21 military personnel from the UN Disengagement Observer Force." Recall, that one week ago the UN "Human Rights" Council adopted a resolution on the "Syrian Golan" doing nothing but condemning Israel for preventing residents from returning to the idyllic Syrian "motherland." And the entire European Union refused to vote against that "human rights" travesty.
Syria: Security Council express 'grave concern' over presence of troops in Golan Heights Development
March 27, 2013
Organization of Islamic Cooperation circulates at the UN yet another statement "against" terrorism, that instead supports it. "We...draw distinction between acts of terrorism, being unequivocally unlawful and rejected, and the legitimate struggle for the right of self-determination by the people under foreign occupation and colonial or alien domination."
Cairo Final Communiqué of the 12th Session of the Islamic Summit Conference, A/67/742–S/2013/95 Development
Anti-Israel media and human rights groups face nuisance of handling the effects of the Syrian crisis on Palestinians, since violations of Palestinian human rights by their Arab brethren are a long-standing, but unreported issue.
Trapped: The Plight of Palestinian Refugees From Syria Article
Violations of elementary fair trial rights in United Arab Emirates: Where's the UN "human rights" council?
United Arab Emirates: Flagrant disregard of fair trial guarantees shown at UAE94 trial Article
Egyptian mosque turned into house of torture for Christians after Muslim Brotherhood protest.
Egyptian mosque turned into house of torture for Christians after Muslim Brotherhood protest Document
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaking to Arab League puts Israeli settlements on par with Syrian carnage.
UN New York Headquarters screened - open to members of the public and anyone associated with the UN - a film on Yasser Arafat. The Chair of UN Committee introducing the film, called Arafat an "almost mythical figure," "tenacious fighter," "freedom fighter," and "man of peace." One more example of how terrorism is glorified and encouraged at the UN today.
The UN "Ad-hoc Committee" established way back in 1996 to draft a comprehensive convention on international terrorism reconvenes this month in New York to "continue" its discussions. For more than a decade, the chief stumbling block has been the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's insistence that blowing up Israelis (and Americans supposedly interfering with "self-determination") doesn't count. There is no UN-agreed definition of terrorism as a result, and no progress is expected in the latest do-nothing round of talks.
March 26, 2013
Alleged Israel "collaborator" gets death sentence. Last week Palestinians offered $$ for "collaborators" to come forward. Trust issue, maybe?
Top UN officials honor over 15 million victims of slave trade and call for end to remnants of slavery. But the General Assembly elected Mauritania to its top human rights body, the "Human Rights" Council. In Mauritania - says the U.S. state department's most recent report: "Continuing slavery, slavery-related practices, and trafficking in persons were central human rights problems."
Honouring over 15 million victims of slave trade, UN calls for end to remnants of slavery Development
March 25, 2013
UN puts out press release with this headline: "UN agency deplores killing of five Palestinian children in Syria." Such special focus on the treatment of Palestinians in Syria, brings into sharp relief the unique resources at the disposal only of Palestinians at the UN.
UN agency deplores killing of five Palestinian children in Syria Development
UN continues to shelter its own in Haiti. UN personnel have infected 600,000 Haitians with cholera and left 8,000 dead. And still impunity.
U.N. hypocrisy in Haiti Article
Congressional concerns about Palestinian intentions and move to declare statehood unilaterally against U.S. requests, isn't stopping the Obama administration from forking over your tax $$. $295 million in FY12 & $200 million in FY13 so far.
Syrians Fire on Israelis in Golan Heights. UN Human Rights Council adopts resolution on saving Syrians from Israelis. UN disconnect from reality won't save lives in Syria.
IDF Destroyed Firing Post inside Syria, Warns UN of Escalation Article
Syria has sent a letter to the UN Security Council announcing that it "would never use any chemical weapons." Not only is the Syrian government not believable, but murdering tens of thousands of people in a different manner must seem to many inside Syria as a distinction without a difference. The letter also adds the qualifier "against its own people" - which is not what international prohibitions on the use of such weapons are intended to convey.