Trump Pulls Out Of Un Human Rights Council

[Peter Pedant]

Late last night - America announced that it was withdrawing from the UN Human Fights council.
This morning they say it is about Israel

however it is very convenient for the current dispute over separated children on the Mexican border

[youngmafbog]

China and Russia filling in the void for human rights?

Did you really think that one through?

[Spungle]

It begs the wider question, what are human rights? I believe the Human Rights Act in this country to be highly discriminatory and totally counter-productive.

[steg]

///China and Russia filling in the void for human rights?

Did you really think that one through?///

Did you really read his reply?

[jim360]

I am fairly sure you're missing the point I was making, ymb. Clearly, China and Russia taking global leadership over human rights is a contradiction in terms -- but, if not the USA, then they can claim the moral high ground (and are already trying to).

[youngmafbog]

I have now Steg but as it was written 10 mins after my post clearly I had not at the time.

OK jim, but this thread is about the UN Human rights council. I'm guessing you are implying everything except that will be taken up by China/Russia?

Something I doubt very much, neither Country are known for their like of inflated and costly talking shops and neither are part of The Establishment.

[Togo]

Of course only the US is able to counter the obvious abuses of the Countries that do not deserve to have a say in the yoo man rites "debates", by dint of the financial support they provide and more importantly the fact that at last they have someone prepared to tell a few home truths. You can bet your bottom dollar that we will not be brave or honest enough to tell the creepy organisation to take a short sharp jerky walk..

[steg]

///I have now Steg but as it was written 10 mins after my post clearly I had not at the time. ///

Have you been sniffing your old socks or something?
How could you reply to something that was wrote after your reply? His post is before yours

[youngmafbog]

I see now you meant did I read his post not a reply - that came 10 mins after mine.

Yes I did. He made a sweeping statement that he has now clarifies to remove what I asked.

May I ask if you really read it?

[youngmafbog]

Well put Togo.

[ichkeria]

The US should be in there trying to make the council better. Not ducking out.
Tho under Trump so far it’s not clear to what extent they would be a positive influence

[jim360]

Except that this is already happening, to an extent. When the US pulled out of the Paris Treaty (on Climate Change), China seized the opportunity to renew its pledge to honour that -- a welcome step in one sense, but also unfortunate because it affords them respect that they don't really deserve.

The same with the Iran Treaty -- China and Russia condemned the US withdrawal in strong terms, and now hold the leading role in ensuring that the Treaty will be respected, which is clearly a nonsense.

I suspect it will be, to an extent, the same with the UNHRC. It's not that Russia and China will actually have any interest in preserving Human Rights, but they certainly will have some of the loudest voices in that regard. Which is a total disaster.

I'm reminded somewhat of the League of Nations, which the US was never even a member of, and consequently lost much of its power from the start. It was even more of a mockery when the Soviet Union and Japan were leading members.

[steg]

///May I ask if you really read it?///
Naw I’m still waiting on it to appear ;)

[ichkeria]

Jim is absolutely right

[youngmafbog]

I sort of see your point jim but personally I think the POTUS is doing the right thing.

Most of these 'councils' are just egotistical wastes of space for a few elites who rack through other countries dosh like it was going out of fashion.

Most need to be disbandoned and if there is a vacuum that must be filled than start again. However, as Togo has wriiten, there are other methods to get your will especially if you are the one paying the piper (unless you are the UK of course).

[youngmafbog]

"Jim is absolutely right "

I disagree.

[ichkeria]

Except it won’t be disbanded. It will be even worse without the US in there and it’s attitude to Israel is unlikely to alter in the way the US would seem to want

[jim360]

"Most need to be disbanded..."

Even if that were true, and I'm not sure that it is, then it's clear that this is not what Trump's action is going to achieve, is it? The UNHRC will continue, without the US's involvement.

If, on the other hand, the US wanted to improve the UNHRC, then the best place to do that is from within. As it is, the organisation will continue, and it will have lost an important voice.

Trump's motives may, or may not, be sound, but his method certainly isn't.

[youngmafbog]

It's just a talking shop so who cares?

At least the US can potentially stop funding it and without the US just how much voice does it actually have?

[youngmafbog]

jim, as we have seen with the EU, big bodies with many views cannot be changed from within - or outside.

Removing the US backing is perhaps the best he can do. It does send a message and severely weakens any 'authority' it had.

[ToraToraTora]

VE, PMSL! Saudi Arab head of HR panel? right oh!