WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressmen Randy Hultgren (R-IL) and Jim McGovern (D-MA), Co-Chairs of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, say they "regret"Tuesday’s decision by the Trump Administration to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The announcement to withdraw from the Council was made by UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The ambassador said the council had become a “protector of human rights abusers and a cesspool of political bias" in overlooking human rights abuses in the Congo, Iran and Venezuela – which all participate in the Council. In contrast, over the years, the Council has condemned Israel nearly 70 times.
“I want to make it crystal clear that this step is not a retreat from our human rights commitments,” Haley said. “On the contrary. We take this step because our commitment does not allow us to remain a part of a hypocritical and self-serving organization that makes a mockery of human rights.”
A statement from Hultgren and McGovern's offices explains their opposition:
The Co-Chairs recognize that the Council has been inconsistent in its promotion of human rights on a number of fronts. These include a disproportionate targeting of Israel and the election to the Council of countries that are serious violators of human rights. But the two human rights leaders consider that the United States can best defend universal rights by working to strengthen the Council from within rather than by disengaging.
“Leading in the area of human rights has been a part of our history and legacy since World War II,” Hultgren said. “The United States should continue to set an example by using its influence to strengthen a council in need of moral clarity amid confusion. Historically, we've made a positive impact at the U.N., and we should continue to do so by engaging and building positive relations among member nations.”
In a letter to President Trump in July 2017, the Co-Chairs noted that the Human Rights Council “actively advances human rights around the world in many different ways. These include advocating for prisoners of conscience in the international arena, convening emergency sessions to address war crimes, and shining a spotlight on human rights abuses in countries by establishing commissions of inquiry. This important work needs to continue with the involvement of the United States.”
“Engagement on the Council remains the best path forward to safeguarding human rights, peace, and security for both American citizens and those across the globe,” said Rep. McGovern. “I urge the Administration to reverse its decision and return to the table.”
Look how the UN treats USA and Israel.
This needs correction.
Love Saves Lives
Carl Lambrecht
The UN human right council exists solely to try to force onto and normalize homosexuality in countries that currently and rationally take a moral stand against. The Obama administration pushed that pervert agenda
This totally speaks to the absolute failure of the Republican Party in the northeastern part of this state and why it’s doomed. FLEE!
Seriously, what has the Republican Party in the northern counties of this state DONE? All I’ve seen is move people to Democrats. How about try being CONSERVATIVE?
Human rights groups? – China, routinely pursecutes and even imprisons religious minorities.
Cuba- haha really?
Nigeria-home of 419 scams
Rwanda-genocide under UNHCR
Saudi Arabia-what women’s rights?
South Africa-now murdering whites!
Venezuela-oh come on
Hultgren is wrong (again) simple as that. He needs to get with the Trump ad Haley program.
And human rights…U.S. a leader, that is a laugh. I have had enough of our so called leadership with the mess at our borders.
2 Congressmen are worried about their JOBS….Not the American People or what the American people are being draged into. Again, some politician leading us down the wrong road. This article is exposing the true Unfaithful Heart of Congressmen Randy Hultgren (R-IL). Shameful….
“Tom Lantos human Rights Commission?”
Wasn’t Lantos the same guy who cheered when Admiral Bourda committed suicide??
What a great example to found a “human rights commission!”
It’s exposing the disaster that is the Illinois Republican Party. The GOP ‘strongholds’ in this state are truly embarrassing.
I will pray for you – and you might want to take a breather from Breitbart and Alex Jones for a bit…
You are in denial. Its the homosexuals you need to pray for. Homosexuality is an immoral sin. . No Christian can rewrite the Bible or ignore parts to please an oppressive state government. To be a true Christian one must have faithful obedience to God’s word.
The Bible says, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17)
While sin is a personal act, we have a responsibility for the sins committed by others when we cooperate in them:
•by participating directly and voluntarily in them
•by ordering, advising, praising, or approving them
•by not disclosing or not hindering
•by protecting wrong doers
To a true Biblical Christian, same-sex unions and same-sex marriage are a sin.
You might want to take a breather from CNN and MSNBC