Libya and Human Rights

The United States is deeply disappointed that the members of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights have elected Libya, a known human rights abuser and a country under UN sanctions, to chair its 59th session. We took the steps necessary to ensure that there would be a vote on this matter, so that we could leave no doubt about our objection to Libya. Calling for a vote was an unprecedented and historic action, breaking a half-century tradition of election by acclamation. But we cannot have business as usual in what should be the world's foremost international human rights body. Libya's Government continues to commit serious human rights violations. [Muammar] Qadhafi has detained political opponents for years without trial. Security forces torture and mistreat prisoners. The government restricts freedom of speech, press, assembly, association, and religion. Arbitrary arrests are used to suppress domestic opposition. A country with this record does not merit a leadership role in the UN system.

It is time to begin rebuilding the UN Commission on Human Rights into a body that fulfills its original mandate to champion democracy, freedom, and the human rights of all people, bringing scrutiny to bear on the worst offenders. The United States will continue to make its position clear. We seek to actively engage and strengthen the moral authority of the Commission on Human Rights, so that it once again proves itself a forceful advocate for those in need of having their human rights protected. We are convinced that the best way for the Commission to ensure the ideals of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights over the long-term is to have a membership comprised of countries with strong human rights records at home.

Today, America celebrates the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a champion of freedom and human dignity. We regret that more members of the Commission did not join with us on this day in sending a clear message to Libya and the rest of the world that human rights violators are not fit to occupy positions of moral or political authority in the United Nations system.