Political Quotes

“On January 20 of this year, Libya, a gross violator of human rights and a state sponsor of terrorism, was elected to chair the United Nations Commission on Human Rights despite the Bush administration's best effort to block this farce. Hiding behind procedural explanations and diplomatic maneuverings, 33 countries ignored Libya's use of terror, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, persecution and harassments of political opponents, the selling of human beings into bondage as slaves; and instead, they voted for Libya to preside over this foremost human rights body. The commission is one of the few international forums confronting human rights violators, and it sets much of the tone and the agenda for a global human rights accountability. Its mission essentially is to give voice to those who are oppressed; thus, the selection of Libya was not only a defeat for justice and human dignity but a betrayal of all those brave souls worldwide who risk imprisonment, exile or even death to fight for universal rights and for fundamental freedoms.”