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US criticism of
UN Human Rights Council fails to derail draft resolution
"The United States on Friday renewed criticism of the
U.N. Human Rights Council, arguing it had shown a misplaced focus on Israel
while giving a free pass to countries with poor human rights records.
The U.S. opposition failed to sway the vast majority of
the U.N. General Assembly's human rights committee, which, as expected,
approved the draft resolution on the body's working rules 145-7 through a rare
vote forced by Israel. The committee generally approves measures by consensus.
The vote came days after Israel's U.N. ambassador, Dan
Gillerman, issued a scathing rebuke of the council, saying last week that some
in the United Nations believed that "they were giving birth to a new
baby."
Instead, "they have in fact given birth to a
horrendous monster," said Gillerman. He said he realized the resolution
would pass, but held out hope that "at least another few countries — brave
and moral countries — will stand by us."
The new Human Rights Council replaced the discredited
Human Rights Commission last year.
The U.S. listed several factors motivating its
opposition to the draft, first among them was the "council's relentless
focus during the year on a single country — Israel," said U.S. Ambassador
Zalmay Khalilzad.
... Joining Israel and the United States
in opposing the draft were five other countries, including Australia, Canada
and the Pacific island nation of Palau....”
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