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Human Rights Groups Accused of Undermining Capitalism
by Sherrie Gossett
http://www.townhall.com/news/ext_wire.html?rowid=34557
Members of the Human Rights Foundation (HRF)
conducted their first meeting in New York City, stating
that their goal was to spread human rights and democracy
throughout the Americas.
HRF members warned about "unelected" organizations
that have secured places at the "decision-making table"
of the United Nations. According to HRF, these groups
operate on the premise of human rights concerns, but
have a real goal of undermining the democratic nations
and the war against terrorism.
Founders of the non-profit HRF include attorney Thor
Halvorssen, former CEO and founder of the Foundation
for Individual Rights and Education (FIRE); Father Robert
Sirico, founder of the Michigan-based Acton Institute for
Religion and Liberty; New York philanthropist Kathryn Davis;
and dissident Armando Valladares, who at the age of
23 was imprisoned by Fidel Castro for 22 years.
The Foundation emphasizes property rights and free
markets as the basis for human freedom. The Atlas
Economic Research Foundation, a non-profit that works
to develop market-oriented think tanks around the world,
co-sponsored the event. Atlas CEO Brad Lips said the
idea that free market reforms are necessary precursors
to human liberty "conflicts with views of progressives s
wayed by the socialist dream, who are skeptical."
The link between free markets and human rights was emphasized by Anwar Ibrahim,
former prime minister of Malaysia, and Franklin Cudjoe, leader of Imani: Center for
Human Education, a think tank in Ghana.
Cudjoe pointed to one of the globe's worst human rights crises - the conflict in
Sudan - which involves violent militias allegedly supported by the Sudanese
government targeting civilians and routing them from their homes. It's estimated that
2 million civilians have been forced to flee.
"What's happening in Sudan is not a religious conflict, despite what you've heard,"
said Cudjoe, "but is due to an absence of clearly defined property rights, which
always endangers the rights of humans."
Ibrahim also warned that the discussion of some democratic ideas, like separation of
religion and state are "dangerous" in Muslim countries. "There is an assumption here
that there is freedom of discussion," in those Muslim nations, Ibrahim said. But he
explained that "you first need a constitutional provision that states you are free to
disagree."
Michael Radu of the Foreign Policy Research Institute chastised the traditional human
rights groups for remaining silent while the leader of Argentina's popular rights
group, Madres de la Plaza de Mayo, expressed satisfaction over the 9/11 terrorist
attacks.
"Did Amnesty International or Human Rights Watch, usually defenders of [Madres de la
Plaza de Mayo], say anything? No," Radu said. These groups, he added, want to treat
terrorism as a "criminal justice matter," which "lawyers, courts and judges should
fix.
"They see no difference between Osama bin Laden or [Abu Musab al] Zarqawi and a gang
leader," Radu said.
Recruiters and supporters of armed jihad settle in countries like Great Britain, Radu
added, because of declarations coming from human rights courts like the one stating
that no one can be extradited to a country where they might be mistreated.
"The safety of citizens of the U.K., is less important than the rights of people like
(jailed radical Islamic cleric) Abu Hamza who advocate mass murder. That's human
rights groups' contribution to the struggle against terrorism," Radu said. "They
believe such persons should have the same rights as others, especially more than
victims or potential victims."
Amnesty International, which began operating in 1961 and Human Rights Watch Rights,
in business since 1978, came under fire from Dr. John Fonte of the Hudson Institute,
who said the groups' "post-liberal, post-democratic ideological agenda" not only
undermines human rights but represents a serious threat to liberal democracy.
"For years they've insisted the U.S. ratify all U.N. human rights treaties, and drop
reservations we attached stating we will not accept anything that is incompatible
with the Constitution, such as restrictions on free speech," he said.
Fonte said the concept of democratic sovereignty is a core value that should be
officially incorporated into the National Security Strategy of the United States and
promoted by the National Security Council, the State Department, and other foreign
policy institutions.
"The E.U. (European Union) subsidizes anti-American, anti-Israel and left-wing
groups," said Fonte. These non-governmental organizations (NGOs) receiving such
subsidies "do not represent global society, should not be part of the process, or be
at table," he asserted. In addition, "[U.N. Secretary General] Kofi Annan brings them
to the table to essentially restrain the U.S.," Fonte alleged.
But Fonte's charge about Annan is "absurd," according to Jose Luis Diaz, a
spokesperson for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
"Kofi Annan does not bring these groups in. This is an established U.N. working
procedure allowing duly-accredited NGOs to participate in the work of the U.N.," Diaz
said.
The groups can lobby and present their views and ideas at different U.N. meetings,
Diaz added, but they are not allowed to draft legislation or vote. "It's an integral
part of the U.N. to allow participation by civil society. This new group (Human
Rights Foundation) could ask for accreditation and participate themselves."
Curt Goering, deputy executive director of Amnesty International, also dismissed the
HRF's charges, stating that "it is governments that agree on the language of
international human rights treaties and goverments that sign and ratify them.
"In recent years, we have seen the U.S. undermining the rule of law worldwide with
its 'exceptionalist' behavior that the standards that apply to others don't apply to
the U.S.," Goering said. "The U.S. is losing, if it hasn't already lost, the global
human rights debate and the results of the course of action suggested by the speakers
(at the HRF event) would inevitably damage further the U.S. image worldwide,
something which this country can ill-afford."
Tom Malinowski, Washington director for Human Rights Watch, told Cybercast News
Service that members of the Human Rights Foundation "have every right to promote
their views as we do. If they're for free markets, then God bless them. There's no
contradiction between that and the right to be free of torture or elect leaders for
example.
Malinowski added that HRF is "looking for a conflict where there is none.
"We're busy doing work, and aren't that concerned about what people say on panels,"
he said.
While the human rights movement has become "corrupted and tactical," according to the
HRF's Halvorssen, he said his group doesn't seek to polarize other human rights
organizations, just polarize governments that violate human rights by action or
inaction.
"Obviously, there wouldn't be a demand for a new organization if Human Rights Watch
and Amnesty International were universally perceived as non-partisan and enthusiastic
defenders of rights," Halvorssen said. "Their track record in a number of parts of
the Americas has been disappointing. That said we will gladly partner with them on a
case-by-case basis."
Halvorssen said HRF has two documentaries underway, both dealing with the use of
children as slave labor. He also said his group would keep the public informed on the
state of democracy in the Americas through reporting and research presented on the
HRF website.
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I intend to last long enough to put out of business all *****-suckers
and other beneficiaries of the institutionalized slavery and genocide.
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"The army that will defeat terrorism doesn't wear uniforms, or drive
Humvees, or calls in air-strikes. It doesn't have a high command, or
high security, or a high budget. The army that can defeat terrorism
does battle quietly, clearing minefields and vaccinating children. It
undermines military dictatorships and military lobbyists. It subverts
sweatshops and special interests.Where people feel powerless, it
helps them organize for change, and where people are powerful, it
reminds them of their responsibility." ~~~~ Author Unknown ~~~~
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