© Denis Balibouse/Reuters
Empty seats, US delegation, UN Human Rights Council
Empty seats, US delegation, UN Human Rights Council
"Getting off the council is an assertion of American determination to stick by its constitution and not to recognize that there is some higher authority at the UN, whether it's the [Human Rights] Council or the High Commissioner for Human Rights, to judge our performance or to give us advice on how to implement the constitution," Bolton said on Thursday. "We're perfectly capable of doing that ourselves."
Comment: Apparently not.
Washington's decision to leave the UN's top human rights agency drew criticism from foreign partners, including some of America's closest allies. Yet, speaking to the TV channel Fox News, Bolton confirmed that it was the right move, and the White House is fine in handling its own affairs, without an opinion from outside. "We don't need advice by the UN or other international bodies on how to govern ourselves," he reiterated.
Bolton, who was named national security adviser in President Donald Trump's administration two months ago, reminded those listening that the United States opposed the creation of the Human Rights Council in the first place, and, when he served as envoy to the UN under George W. Bush, had voted against it.
Comment: The Human Rights Council is not about the US -- it's about abuse and suffering all over the globe. The US should 'get over itself' and do its part of the job with humility and integrity - both of which Bolton is in very short supply. Benefit of US pullout (given the human rights atrocities exemplified by the Palestinian massacre) goes to Israel...or does it? Without the US negating Council decisions, perhaps 'human rights' finally stand a chance.