Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: “a year ago we were filled with hope that the proposed United Nations Human Rights Council would correct the deeply…”

“a year ago we were filled with hope that the proposed United Nations Human Rights Council would correct the deeply flawed human rights mechanisms in that body. We thought that once and for all repressive regimes would be held accountable for their crimes. However, our hopes were quickly dashed last Thursday when the latest proposal for the new Human Rights Council was made public. Rather than taking the time to do something constructive, to make things right, the international community chose consensus over substance. There was a race to the lowest common denominator. And the result? A flawed proposal which empowers dictatorships while weakening democratic countries such as the United States and Israel. Much more work needs to be done, Mr. Speaker. We must ensure that the new council is not mere cosmetic changes, but true reform. Let us support our U.S. Ambassador, John Bolton, by rejecting this so-called reform. It is nothing but a farce. ____________________”