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by Ambassador Antonio O. Garza, Jr.
Published in Spanish by Mexican daily Reforma
"No people on Earth yearn to be oppressed, or aspire to servitude, or eagerly await the midnight knock of the secret police." President George W. Bush.
There is no greater responsibility of leadership than to speak out in defense of others. As President Bush reminds us, "human rights are not the privileged patrimony of selected nations.” They are universal. President Fox said just last month, " . . . it is essential that the prerogatives of individuals, persons and society be duly protected by an effective system of law and legality, to prevent men and women from being subjected to authoritarian abuse and discrimination . . . ”
The United Nation’s Commission on Human Rights (CHR), which is in the midst of its annual six-week session in Geneva, has a mandate to ensure that human rights are respected around the world. The 52 nations elected to serve on this body each year have a direct responsibility for the work of the CHR, but every country that values human rights and democracy has an obligation to help the Commission fulfill its mandate. Under the leadership of President Vicente Fox, Mexico has become one of the most committed members of the Commission, and one of the leading promoters of human rights and democracy in the Western Hemisphere and the world.
Not all countries share this proud record. A key element of the Commission's mandate is promoting compliance with internationally recognized human rights standards. To accomplish this objective, the CHR must examine the human rights records of specific nations, highlighting cases of gross violations. It must speak out about the most repressive governments in the world. Failure to perform this role would be an abdication of an essential CHR responsibility.
The international community must not evade this responsibility just because some governments feel uncomfortable taking a moral stand critical of another country. Cordial diplomatic relations are important, but they must not come at the price of ignoring injustice. Mexico has a strong record of voting on principle, not political convenience, that stands as a model to others.
Neither should the CHR shirk its responsibility in response to allegations that developing countries are being singled out unfairly. Any country may seek membership in the CHR, and any member may introduce a resolution examining the human rights situation in any other country.
As a CHR member, the USG supports resolutions focused on countries where international attention may have the most impact. Such resolutions encourage people struggling under repressive regimes and, at times, spur governments to make modest improvements.
The situation of human rights in Belarus has worsened significantly in the past year. October 2004 elections and a referendum to end term limits on the presidency failed to meet international democratic standards.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea continues to execute some repatriated citizens, persecute religious believers, and make extensive use of starvation, prison camps, coerced labor, pervasive surveillance and extreme repression.
Jingaweit militiamen continue to kill, rape, and displace innocent civilians in Darfur, often with the knowledge or collaboration of the government of Sudan. The Justice and Equality Movement and Sudanese Liberation Army rebel groups also continue to commit ceasefire violations.
The Cuban government has refused steadfastly to allow its citizens even the most rudimentary civil and political rights. Some would argue that Cuba's ability to avoid global human rights scrutiny has contributed to its ability to perpetuate human rights abuses for so long.
The CHR not only should press countries to improve their human rights performance but also should recognize genuine democratic reforms made by courageous governments. The United States will also back resolutions that achieve this objective.
We recognize that no country has a perfect human rights record, including the United States. But countries responsible for gross human rights violations should not represent their regions in the CHR. They hinder the CHR's ability to carry out its responsibilities, and they represent their regions poorly. The CHR must improve the quality of its membership in order to regain credibility as a protector and promoter of human rights.
The United States encourages democratic countries that respect human rights to seek membership on the CHR and to elect only countries that share those basic values. The world needs an effective forum for promoting compliance with internationally accepted human rights standards. The CHR can perform this role if governments have the courage to take principled stands on these vital issues.
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