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UN creates new rights council
The United Nations General Assembly has created a new UN human rights body, despite objections from the United States.
Sustained applause greeted the announcement of the 170 to 4 vote with 3 abstentions. Joining the United States in a "no" vote were Israel, Marshall Islands and Palau.
Abstaining were: Belarus, Iran and Venezuela.
The new 47-seat UN Human Rights Council would replace the 53-country Geneva-based UN Human Rights Commission, which in recent years has included some of the world's most abysmal rights violators.
As the preeminent international rights watchdog, the council will aim to expose human rights abusers and help nations draw up rights legislation.
Weak rules
John Bolton, the US Ambassador, told the assembly the rules for the new council were not strong enough to prevent rights violators from getting a seat. But he said the United States would cooperate with the body.
More
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/22325B11-D9CE-4C2D-AA69-BB535B7BC952.htm
Abstaining were: Belarus, Iran and Venezuela.
The new 47-seat UN Human Rights Council would replace the 53-country Geneva-based UN Human Rights Commission, which in recent years has included some of the world's most abysmal rights violators.
As the preeminent international rights watchdog, the council will aim to expose human rights abusers and help nations draw up rights legislation.
Weak rules
John Bolton, the US Ambassador, told the assembly the rules for the new council were not strong enough to prevent rights violators from getting a seat. But he said the United States would cooperate with the body.
More
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/22325B11-D9CE-4C2D-AA69-BB535B7BC952.htm
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The 47-nation UN Human Rights Council will replace the current 53-country UN Human Rights Commission.
The existing body has been heavily criticised for having countries with poor human rights records as members.
The US voted against the plan, saying the reforms did not go far enough, but pledged to work with the new council.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan welcomed what he called an "historic resolution... that gives the United Nations a much-needed chance to make a new beginning in its work for human rights around the world".
He had proposed the changes last year to replace the discredited commission, which has in recent years included countries accused of gross human rights violations such as Sudan, China, Cuba and Zimbabwe.
Tighter rules
The resolution, which had been negotiated over many months by Assembly President Jan Eliasson, was approved by 170 members of the 191-nation assembly.
Three nations abstained. Israel, Marshall Islands and Palau joined the US in voting against the plan.
More
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4810538.stm