Posted on 03/21/2006 3:29:01 PM PST by Crackingham
The United States has lost its moral compass and fallen out of step with the rest of the world in the wake of September 11, the former United Nations human rights commissioner warned tonight. Mary Robinson expressed sadness and regret at America’s erosion of human rights as part of its "War on Terror". In a speech in central London, Mrs Robinson praised the British courts for taking a global lead on interpreting international human rights laws.
Highlighting the US’s opposition last week to the creation of a new UN Human Rights Council, Mrs Robinson said: "It illustrates the seismic shift which has taken place in the relation of the US to global rule of law issues. Today, the US no longer leads, but is too often seen merely to march out of step with the rest of the world."
She added that she hoped it was a "temporary loss of moral compass".
Speaking at an event organised by human rights and law reform group Justice, Mrs Robinson - who is also the former President of Ireland - criticised government’s use of Big Brother-style language to cover up their activities.
"Misuse of language has also led to Orwellian euphemisms, so that ’coercive interrogation’ is used instead of torture, or cruel and inhuman treatment; kidnapping becomes ’extraordinary rendition’," she said.
The former Irish leader disputed the argument that the post 9/11 world meant that human rights could be curtailed in the name of security. This would lead to democracies "losing the moral high ground", she said.
"Almost five years after 9/11, I think we must be honest in recognising how far international commitment to human rights standards has slipped in such a short time," she told an audience at Middle Temple Hall.
"In the US in particular, the ambivalence about torture, the use of extraordinary rendition and the extension of presidential powers have all had a powerful ‘knock on’ effect around the world, often in countries that lack the checks and balances of independent courts, a free press and vigorous non-governmental organisation and academic communities.
"The establishment of an off-shore prison in Guantanamo (and) its retention in the face of the most principled and sustained criticism ... are all aspects of this situation."
Former UN Human Rights Commissioner? You know, the head of the UN commission that has Sudan and Cuba as it's members? Lecturing this country?
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! ** URK ** ** SNORK ** Hiemlich!
Leave it to TIME to continue to report this kinda mush..
Mary Robinson hates the United States even more than Noam Chomsky. Always has and always will.
Fallen out of step with appeasing the enemy? Thats a good thing.
Actually it was taken away by the UN, liberals and politicans by laws, treaties and "globalization" aimed at the American people that today seem to not understand that.
I always hated this woman, and this statement validates it.
International welfare pimps can and do say just about anything. She should set up shop in a muslim country.
Got it,sweetheart ??????????
We are not the ones that turn who hosts of people over to the brutal care of murderous thugs like Saddam. Spare us the hysteric grandstanding your UN enablers of mass murder, rape and torture.
You are so right. This woman is a hater. The fact that Clinton approved her for the role as Human Rights Commissioner will always allow the media to cloak this woman in credibility, credibility she doesn't earn or deserve.
She must be on crack.
I also wonder if Mary Robinson has done anything about the abuses of innocent civilians perpetrated by some UN "peacekeepers" including many well documented cases of rape of minors.
Today, the US no longer leads, but is too often seen merely to march out of step with the rest of the world."
Dear Mary,
America marches to the beat of freedom for all, you have it
but you would deny it to others? If Ireland was attacked by
the Islamic fanatics, you would treat them kindly, gently
ask them their plans and be satisfied with their answers
then let them go?
I thought not.
Tet.
EARTH TO MARY ROBINSON: you are welcome to go live with the Islamo-fascists (at least until they wrap you in a Burkha and slit your throat) if you love them so much. We are trying to save civilization and humanity from the savages that YOU and your kind have coddled and enabled for so many years. Why don't you STFU until we ask for your idiotic comments........ oh, wait, let a thousand flowers bloom, everyone loves to hear the silly rants of an ex- "UN Human Rights Commissioner" who never could quite find any problems in Iraq, Syria, Iran, etc.
After the fine job the Un has done protecting human rights in Rwanda, Darfur, Sudan; and allowing such luminaries as Cuba, Libya and Sudan on its Human Rights Commission; this cow can shove a cow pie in her pie hole.
Bump.
Self righteous anti-American drivel.
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