Iceland to take vacated US seat on Human Rights Council

[Judi Lynn]

Source: UN News

13 July 2018
Human Rights

The United Nations General Assembly on Friday elected Iceland to serve on the Geneva-based global rights body effective immediately, through to the end of next year.

Iceland inherits no particular responsibilities from the US, raising questions about future action on key human rights issues promoted specifically by Washington, such as Sudan, South Sudan and the right to freedom of expression.

On 19 June, the US announced its decision to leave the Council. Senior US officials accused the Council of displaying entrenched bias against Israel, and criticized what they said was the body’s willingness to admit nations which were themselves human rights abusers.

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, according to reports, noted that the move did not signify in any way, that the US was retreating from its own human rights commitments.

Read more: https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/07/1014672

[still_one]

1. Good. The U.S. has no right to be on the Human Rights Council, and in fact have now become one of

the bad guys

[Judi Lynn]

2. True! If Trump had left someone in there representing the US, he/she would vote completely wrong

in serious matters. Hadn't even considered that.

[still_one]

4. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[canetoad]

3. Good

Iceland is a cool country.