UN WATCH's Hillel Neuer on UN Support for rogue Nations!!

By Hillel Neuer
January 21, 2011Why does the United Nations' Human Rights Council turn a blind eye to systematic repression in countries such as Cuba, Iran and Zimbabwe? Here's one reason: Its Advisory Committee, meeting this week in Geneva, is dominated by apologists for the world's worst dictators.

The Obama administration is rightly calling to abolish this body of 18 advisers. It's time for other UN stakeholders to do the same.

Expert: Halima Warzazi, who shielded Saddam from censure

According to the UN's website, the Advisory Committee is a "think-tank" whose goal is "to ensure that the best possible expertise is made available to the council." The experts, we are told, possess "recognized competence and experience in the field of human rights," "high moral standing" and "impartiality." Their decisions, the UN would have us understand, are based on principle, evidence and logic.

In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. A quick glance at three of the committee's leading members -- all chosen by politicized regional groups -- makes it clear that they are guided by an extreme ideological agenda.

Expert: Miguel D'Escoto Brockmann, hugging Ahmadinejad

First is Halima Warzazi, chosen by her peers last year as chairwoman. In the halls of the UN, the former Moroccan diplomat is noticeable for her brightly colored, traditional robes. Those who know UN history, however, remember her for something else.

In 1988, the precursor to the Advisory Committee was considering a resolution to condemn Saddam Hussein for having gassed thousands of Kurds in Halabja. It was an auspicious moment. Two years before Saddam would brutalize Kuwait through torture, murder and rape, and three years before he would kill more than 30,000 Kurds and Shiites, here was an opportunity for a UN body to show the Iraqi dictator that the eyes of the world were upon him.

But it was not to be. Warzazi initiated a "no action" motion to kill the resolution - and won the vote. Saddam went on to murder thousands more. So much for this adviser's "high moral standing."

Read the rest at: UN Watch website.