Non-participation is poor strategy for Israel against UN Council for Human Rights

Rosa Freedman, specialist academic in international law and international human rights at the University of Birmingham, UK, speaks about why Israel is the latest permanent subject on the Human Rights Council?s (HRC) agenda. Her keen insight has resulted in an article published in The Times of Israel.

Freedman reminds us that this level of focused attention can previously been seen during 1952 and 1994 on the South African apartheid, but since its demise, Israel appears to be the next up on the chopping block. Whilst not underserving (Freedman readily acknowledges its human rights violations), she argues that it is grossly disproportionate.

She acutely identifies that disparate concentration on certain countries is the evidence that Member States routinely manipulate the HRC?s forum and mechanisms to achieve their own national motives by supporting allies, pursuing enemies and deflecting their own violations of human rights.

?Why have there recently been special sessions on Syria, but not on other countries that were part of the Arab Spring?? she asks.

?Why has there been so little discussion about Egypt??

?Because Egypt?s a significant player, but Syria in some ways has lost the backing of its allies, which creates a chink in the armor,? answering the question.

?And why has there never been a discussion about China? It?s pretty clear why,? implying that it is too great a power to challenge.

In comparison, Israel, isolated by its exclusion from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation is vulnerable to attacks. It further aggravates it precarious position by rebelling in January when it became the first country to ever refuse its Universal Period Review, a mandatory process for all Member States every four years.

Whilst this approach conveys a big message ? that Israel will not stand to be condemned by human right abusers themselves ? Freeman points out that this is wholly ineffective. Instead she suggests that Israel should be building influence by appealing to countries that are currently neutral or on the fence. Freeman feels that the fact Israel is now attempting to re-engage with the UN is the right decision and a fresh opportunity to re-open meaningful discourse.

Freedman?s book, The United Nations Human Rights Council: A Critique and Early Assessment, is the first academic book to discuss the HRC from personal observations during attendance at Council proceedings, thereby providing a unique account of how the body works in practice. Providing in-depth analysis, she discusses how successful the UNHRC has been in advancing human rights despite its apparent politicisations. To read more on Freedman?s book and the author herself click to continue here.
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Source: http://www.psypress.com/articles/non-participation_is_poor_strategy_for_israel_against_un_council_for_human_/

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