Follow-Up to the First Special Session of the Human Rights Council

Thank you Mr. President,

The human suffering of innocents on both sides of the conflict this summer -- Lebanese and Israeli alike -- was a tragedy and the aftermath remains a serious concern of the United States. Two weeks ago, President Bush announced a Presidential delegation to be led by Under Secretary Dina Powell to Beirut to visit areas affected by the recent conflict and to meet with Prime Minister Siniora and business leaders to discuss rebuilding. In addition, the White House launched a nationwide effort to encourage private donations for reconstruction. These are just a few examples of how the United States is and will remain active in supporting the people of Lebanon.

The United States, however, did not support the Human Rights Council’s decision to have a special session to consider the conflict in Lebanon. In our view it was unhelpful and counter-productive to the search for peace. The resolution on Israel was one-sided and unfair as it failed to condemn Hezbollah for its egregious actions.

It is essential to remember that the crisis in Lebanon was precipitated by Hezbollah’s violent July 12 attack on Israel in which it killed several Israeli soldiers and kidnapped two others, whom Hezbollah continues to hold. This Council failed to address the more than 3,000 rockets Hezbollah fired into Israel -- deliberately targeting innocent Israeli civilians.

The United States is disappointed that these mandate holders took it upon themselves to pronounce on complex questions of international humanitarian law. Under the relevant Council resolutions, we find no basis for the mandate holders to address the conduct of actual military operations or render opinions on whether the parties to the armed conflict have met their obligations under the law of war. The result is unfortunate, as the report applies international humanitarian rights law in areas governed by the law of armed conflict and offers opinions on the law of armed conflict that are in some cases dubious and that, in any event, fall outside their mandate.

We also note that the report does address concerns about the actions of both Hezbollah and Israel that was more even-handed than the approach taken by this Council.

We remain firm in our belief that the Special Sessions mechanism and the reports of the mandate holders are invaluable tools in the promotion and protection of human rights. We reiterate that we will continue to stand with the people of Lebanon and further urge the Council to act responsibly, be absolutely disciplined in looking at every side of an issue, and use these tools in an impartial and non-selective manner to address pressing human rights abuses around the world that are within the mandate of the Human Rights Council.

Thank you, Mr. President.