Selective application of human rights law undermines credibility of UN
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Human Rights Council
The credibility of international law and of the United Nations is undermined when States violate the UN Charter with impunity or apply human rights law as it suits them.
That warning has come from Alfred de Zayas the United Nations independent expert on promotion of a democratic and equitable international order.
Gerry Adams reports.
"Alfred de Zayas was due to present his first report to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday but the event has been postponed as a result of Hurricane Sandy which has hit New York.
He says that everywhere people talk about reforms but there is still undemocratic participation in global decision-making and growing inequities worldwide.
The expert is critical of what he says are "exorbitant military expenditures, fear-mongering and sabre-rattling" in the midst of global misery.
Mr. de Zayas urges governments and civil society around the world to rise above rhetoric, adjust priorities and humanize national budgets.
He stresses that a humanized international order requires respect for the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the Constitution of the modern world.
Gerry Adams, United Nations."
