H. CON. RES. 27 - CONDEMNING THE SELECTION OF LIBYA TO CHAIR THE UN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

Introduced into the House of Representatives on February 4, 2003 by Mr. Hyde (IL-6).  Received in the Senate on February 12 and referred to the Foreign Relations Committee.
Cosponsors

Background:

This resolution relates to the condemning of the selection of Libya to chair the UN commission on human rights.

In 2003, the Africa Group was selected by the Executive Board of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, which governs the rotation system, to chair the Commission. Accordingly, the Africa Group selected Libya as its candidate and was elected on January 20, 2003. This sparked a great deal of controversy on account of Libya's sponsorship of terrorism and gross human rights violations; the argument being that Libya should in no way chair a commission that promotes universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. Dene Smuts, South Africa's Democratic Alliance spokeswoman, asserted that African countries "should have supported a candidate of whom all Africans could be proud" and that the decision of the South African government to support Libya's election was an insult to human rights. United Nations sanctions against Libya have been suspended and Libya's continued status as an international outlaw nation and its continued unwillingness to accept responsibility for its terrorist actions should bar it from consideration as a candidate for membership in the United Nations Security Council or any other UN affiliated agency.

Provisions:

• Strongly condemns the selection of Libya to chair the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

• Commends the President and the U.S. Administration for objecting to and calling for a vote on Libya's chairmanship of the Commission.

• Commends countries which joined the United States in objecting to Libya's selection as chair of the Commission.

• Expresses its dismay at the European Union common position of abstention on the critical vote over Libya's chairmanship.

• Is appalled at the support provided to Libya in its efforts to lead the Commission.

• Will hold accountable countries who voted in favor of Libya's chairmanship.

• Highlights its grave concern over the continuing efforts of human rights violators and terrorist countries to use the international forum to legitimize their regimes and continue to act with impunity, and calls on the President to raise United States objections to such efforts during bilateral and multilateral discussions and to direct pertinent Cabinet secretaries to do the same.

• Calls on countries at various stages of democratization to demonstrate their commitment to human rights, democracy, peace and security, and support efforts to reform the Commission.

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