Cracks are emerging in the firewall that until now has protected some of the world’s powerful nations from being scrutinized and called to account for gross violations by the U.N. Human Rights Council. The executive director of Human Rights Watch, Kenneth Roth, called them the “untouchables.” “By that I mean governments that have managed to avoid any real critical scrutiny in the form of a resolution by the council. And the foremost untouchables that I have in mind are China, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Russia,” he said. Addressing the untouchables, Roth said, is not only the biggest challenge facing the council, but is critical to its credibility. He said efforts are underway to draft critical statements on Egypt and Saudi Arabia. He added pressure is growing on Russia because of its alleged poisoning of opposition activist Alexey Navalny. However, of greatest interest, he says are emerging signs that China may no longer be untouchable. “It has been seen as politically … [Read more...] about Powerful Countries Come Under Fire at UN Human Rights Council
