MJ Posted January 21, 2003 Report Share Posted January 21, 2003 Libya takes UN human rights chairMonday, January 20, 2003 Posted: 8:48 AM EST (1348 GMT) GENEVA, Switzerland (Reuters) -- Libya, long accused by human rights activists of major abuses, has been elected to chair the United Nations' top rights body. The decision on Monday comes despite objections from the United States and other Western nations about the country's poor record on civil liberties and its alleged role in sponsoring terrorism. The Libyan candidate, long-time diplomat and former journalist Najat al-Hajjaji, won 33 votes in a secret ballot of the 53-nation United Nations Human Rights Commission, with 17 states abstaining and three voting against her as Washington had recommended. The North African country ruled by President Muammar Gaddafi will therefore preside at the March 17-April 25 annual session of the Commission when the state of human rights around the world will be scrutinised. 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, had been nominated by African countries, whose turn it is by U.N. tradition to make the choice. www.cnn.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormig Posted January 21, 2003 Report Share Posted January 21, 2003 LMAO! Well, look at it on the bright side. I could've been China, or Russia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormig Posted January 21, 2003 Report Share Posted January 21, 2003 Or, speaking of Africans, Sudan, Ethiopia, Morocco, Angola - provided Angola is in the UN, of course. (I don't know and am too lazy to search.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sip Posted January 22, 2003 Report Share Posted January 22, 2003 Angola is in the UN. Date of admission: 1 Dec. 1976. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormig Posted January 22, 2003 Report Share Posted January 22, 2003 I should add Saudi Arabia in there. Saudi Arabia oppresses an estimated 51% of its population (women) to no end. Same with Iran. Oafffffffffff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boghos Posted January 22, 2003 Report Share Posted January 22, 2003 Stormy, I agree with you in general terms but there are major differences between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Iran is far more liberal than even most Arab countries. But saying "offfffff" is always good, let´s some steam off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormig Posted January 22, 2003 Report Share Posted January 22, 2003 I really can't tell between the two, except for the plus (or should it be "minus"?) that ideological persecution is common in Iran. I understand that acquiring property, pursuing a career of some sort, and things like that are easier for women in Iran than they are in Saudi Arabia, and that they don't need men's permits (or do they? I should ask my friend) to travel abroad, but, hey, so what, at the end of the day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boghos Posted January 22, 2003 Report Share Posted January 22, 2003 Look at university enrollment, the right to drive, participation in parliament, etc. They are orders of magnitude apart... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormig Posted January 22, 2003 Report Share Posted January 22, 2003 Enough to "balance" the stoning to death, or the rape of virgins prior to carrying out their death sentences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boghos Posted January 22, 2003 Report Share Posted January 22, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Stormy:Enough to "balance" the stoning to death, or the rape of virgins prior to carrying out their death sentences.It may be hard to differentiate when we are talking about barbarism. But it is a worthwhile exercise. If you have a chance to visit Iran, you´ll see... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormig Posted January 22, 2003 Report Share Posted January 22, 2003 I'm not talking about barbarism. Adulterers in Saudi Arabia, whether man or woman, are lashed if unmarried and stoned if married.In Iran, the men are let go and women suffer the onus.Going to Iran would be a stretch, especially when the people are sick of their "social problems." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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