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US should emulate Canada’s leadership in UN Human Rights Council - Jewish human rights organization releases brief on need for Council reformPosted On 05/12/09
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
US should emulate Canada’s leadership in UN Human Rights Council - Jewish human rights organization releases brief on need for Council reform
TORONTO, May 12, 2009 – B’nai Brith Canada has called on the United States to emulate Canada’s principled opposition to one-sided, politicized anti-Zionism at the UN Human Rights Council, as this country’s mandate comes to an end. The United States, which is running unopposed for election to the world’s leading human rights body, is expected to be acclaimed later today. It is the first time the US is seeking entry into the Council.
“Canada has served its citizens well through the exercise of strong and decisive leadership at the UN Human Rights Council,” said David Matas, Senior Legal Counsel to B’nai Brith Canada, who is currently in Geneva. “During its tenure, Canada has often been the lone voice of opposition standing up to antisemitism and routine anti-Israel bashing. We hope that this mantle of opposing obsessive anti-Israel bias in order to stand up for democracy and human rights will now pass to the United States.
“To coincide with today’s elections, we are releasing a brief on suggestions for reforming the Council, which has proven incapable of overcoming the deficiencies of its predecessor, the UN Human Rights Commission.
“We recommend that countries which refuse to recognize a fellow UN member should not be permitted to speak or vote on the human rights record of that state. In addition, the General Assembly should exclude from membership of the Council countries which are gross human rights violators.”
To view the full brief, authored by David Matas, along with a listing of recommendations, please visit www.bnaibrith.ca.
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For more information, please contact, Karen Lazar, National Director of Communications: 416-633-6224 X 140 / cell: 416-312-9173
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