US Plans to Run for UN Human Rights Council

US Plans to Run for UN Human Rights Council

Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton and United States Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice announced this week that the United States is seeking a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council. Working from within the council the United States can help to promote human rights not only for the United States, but within other countries as well.

Republicans, and the Bush administration, were opposed to being a part of the Human Rights Council, but Human Rights Council President Ambassador Martin Ihoeghian Uhomoibhi reacted to in a very well manner saying, "I am very encouraged by the news of the decision of the U.S. to run for a seat in the Human Rights Council. This is further evidence of their commitment to advancing human rights globally, thus building on the work of the Council to promote and protect all human rights universally without distinction of any kind."

The council election will take place on May 12. New Zealand withdrew their nomination making the odds greater for the United States to win the vote and be apart of the Council for the three year term.

I think that this is awesome. The United States should be apart of the Human Rights Council and I am not sure why the Republicans and the Bush Administration were opposed. Why wouldn't they want to promote human rights? It doesn't make sense to me. It makes me feel safe knowing that our country may have a say in Human Rights around the world.