# Colonel Gadaffi to head United Nations Commission on Human Rights **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 19, 2002, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonel-gadaffi-to-head-united-nations-commission-on-human-rights/124666 "2002-08-19T23:53:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![december](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2002, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonel-gadaffi-to-head-united-nations-commission-on-human-rights/124666/1 "2002-08-19T23:53:44Z")
> [@](#): > > **Gadaffi To Head Human Rights Body** > > Libyan leader Colonel Gadaffi is to head an international watchdog on human rights. > > Libya is to be elected chair of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights - despite its links with terrorism and torture. > > Libyan terrorists were responsible for the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, which killed 270 people, and Gadaffi’s regime has been criticised for violence against its own people. [http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-12090008,00.html](http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-12090008,00.html) As Human Rights Watch [pointed out](http://hrw.org/press/2002/08/libya080902.htm), _Over the last decade, Libya has detained government opponents for years without charge or trial, prohibited the formation of political parties or independent non-governmental groups, and muzzled its press. In the past, the Libyan government has also been responsible for torture, “disappearances” and the assassination of political opponents abroad._ This is simply pathetic. The UN HRC has become a total embarassment. ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonel-gadaffi-to-head-united-nations-commission-on-human-rights/124666/2 "2002-08-20T00:15:47Z")
This would be funny if it wasn’t so sad. ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonel-gadaffi-to-head-united-nations-commission-on-human-rights/124666/3 "2002-08-20T00:28:38Z")
Oh, for the love of Cecil. The choice of Chair of the Human Rights Commission rotates regionally – it falls to Africa for the coming term, beginning in March. The African Union, a new body to deal with such things (among others), has stated its _intention_ to nominate Libya to be the Chair. That choice, _if_ it comes to pass, must then be voted on by the Commission itself (I don’t recall whether it’s a majority thing, supermajority, acclaimation, or what). This procedure will occur in January. None of this has actually happened yet. None. None. Not a little bit. None. HRW is going a good job being out in front on this, and of course it ought to be stopped, but it just hasn’t happened yet. To report otherwise is a lie. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonel-gadaffi-to-head-united-nations-commission-on-human-rights/124666/4 "2002-08-20T00:48:19Z")
That’s a coincidence, I just heard a North Korean is to Head UNESCO. And wait, Saddam’s in line for UNSCOM…strange days, huh ? So what’s the plan tonight, **december** - I’m guessing the car headlights will be angled on the garden while you’re digging the bunker ? ---
**Author:** ![hawthorne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hawthorne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawthorne)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonel-gadaffi-to-head-united-nations-commission-on-human-rights/124666/5 "2002-08-20T12:21:16Z")
Easy now, **London Calling**. I’ve had a look for information confirming **manhattan** ’s view. I think that it’s likely that skynews have got it wrong, although their story’s still up. Maybe **december** was eager to believe it, but he linked from a legitimate enough news site. It appears that 1. It is Africa’s turn to nominate 2. They _have_ nominated Libya 3. All 53 governments on the commission must endorse the nomination in January before the annual session begins in March. Presumably pressure will be brought to bear, but Libya has been on a charm offensive of late and has a better reputation than one might think in some parts of the world. See: [http://www.unfoundation.org/unwire/util/category\_search.asp?objCat=rights](http://www.unfoundation.org/unwire/util/category_search.asp?objCat=rights) (scroll to August 14) [http://www.sabcnews.com/africa/north\_africa/0,1009,40686,00.html](http://www.sabcnews.com/africa/north_africa/0,1009,40686,00.html) [http://www.washtimes.com/world/20020812-7422159.htm](http://www.washtimes.com/world/20020812-7422159.htm) ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonel-gadaffi-to-head-united-nations-commission-on-human-rights/124666/6 "2002-08-20T12:25:28Z")
well, it is a good way for the international community to focus on human rights abuses in Libya, even if it isnt the best way of going about it. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonel-gadaffi-to-head-united-nations-commission-on-human-rights/124666/7 "2002-08-20T12:41:11Z")
**hawthorne** – I was mocking the certainty of the thread title. Yep, Libya is keen to edge back towards international respectability (nb. British Ministerial visit to the sartorially distinct one last week). But if Gadhafi need all 53 votes and there remains a lack of transparency with regard his Human Rights record, what odds will you give me ? Wonder if he’s swapped the tin foil for a tin helmet yet… ---
**Author:** ![december](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonel-gadaffi-to-head-united-nations-commission-on-human-rights/124666/8 "2002-08-20T12:54:23Z")
**London\_Calling** , isn’t Sky News a British organzation? You ought to know if it’s a legitimate source. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonel-gadaffi-to-head-united-nations-commission-on-human-rights/124666/9 "2002-08-20T12:57:53Z")
It’s Murdoch. Nuff said. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonel-gadaffi-to-head-united-nations-commission-on-human-rights/124666/10 "2002-08-20T13:02:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TwistofFate \* > \*\*well, it is a good way for the international community to focus on human rights abuses in Libya, even if it isnt the best way of going about it. \*\* Hmmm…and using the same logic, the it would’ve been a good idea for late Dr. Mengele to head a commission on compassionate medicine. Kahdaffi. :rolleyes: The fact that he was even _nominiated_ speaks volumes about the idiocy of the U.N. Fenris ---
**Author:** ![widdershins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f0a364/32.png) [@widdershins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/widdershins)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonel-gadaffi-to-head-united-nations-commission-on-human-rights/124666/11 "2002-08-20T13:05:48Z")
If anybody would recognize terrorism and torture when they see it, it would be Gadaffi’s Libya. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonel-gadaffi-to-head-united-nations-commission-on-human-rights/124666/12 "2002-08-20T13:06:22Z")
If it were to happen, it would be supremely ironic. Still, Kissinger and Arafat got Nobel Peace Prizes, so it could still happen. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonel-gadaffi-to-head-united-nations-commission-on-human-rights/124666/13 "2002-08-20T13:12:39Z")
Fenris, thats not what I am saying at all. If Libya manage to sweet talk the 53 member council into heading the UNCHR, which I doubt will happen, it may actually force them to do something about their Human Rights abuses. Would that be a bad thing? ---
**Author:** ![hawthorne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hawthorne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawthorne)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonel-gadaffi-to-head-united-nations-commission-on-human-rights/124666/14 "2002-08-20T14:07:23Z")
> [@](#): > > _Posted by Fenris_ > The fact that he was even nominiated speaks volumes about the idiocy of the U.N. Piffle. He wasn’t nominated by the UN. The UN hasn’t appointed him to squat. He was nominated by the African Union. ---
**Author:** ![capacitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@capacitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capacitor)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonel-gadaffi-to-head-united-nations-commission-on-human-rights/124666/15 "2002-08-20T14:38:18Z")
Last time I checked, Libya is not one of the Axis of Evil. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonel-gadaffi-to-head-united-nations-commission-on-human-rights/124666/16 "2002-08-20T15:22:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by hawthorne \* > \*\*Piffle. He wasn’t nominated by the UN. The UN hasn’t appointed him to squat. He was nominated by the African Union. \*\* Then it speaks volumes about the idiocy of the African Union. And in December’s OP, it said the Brits “did nothing to block the appointment.” which implies that they could have done so. ---
**Author:** ![december](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonel-gadaffi-to-head-united-nations-commission-on-human-rights/124666/17 "2002-08-20T15:34:24Z")
\<\< Last time I checked, Libya is not one of the Axis of Evil.\>\> Libya is in the **Axis of Just as Evil** 😃 [See](http://uspolitics.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.satirewire.com%2Fnews%2Fjan02%2Faxis.shtml) > [@](#): > > **ANGERED BY SNUBBING, LIBYA, CHINA SYRIA FORM AXIS OF JUST AS EVIL** > \*\*Cuba, Sudan, Serbia Form Axis of Somewhat Evil; Other Nations Start Own Clubs \*\* > > Beijing ([SatireWire.com](http://SatireWire.com)) — Bitter after being snubbed for membership in the “Axis of Evil,” Libya, China, and Syria today announced they had formed the “Axis of Just as Evil,” which they said would be way eviler than that stupid Iran-Iraq-North Korea axis President Bush warned of his State of the Union address. > > Axis of Evil members, however, immediately dismissed the new axis as having, for starters, a really dumb name. “Right. They are Just as Evil… in their dreams!” declared North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. “Everybody knows we’re the best evils… best at being evil… we’re the best.” > > Diplomats from Syria denied they were jealous over being excluded, although they conceded they did ask if they could join the Axis of Evil… ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonel-gadaffi-to-head-united-nations-commission-on-human-rights/124666/18 "2002-08-20T15:40:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fenris \* > \*\* > And in December’s OP, it said the Brits “did nothing to block the appointment.” which implies that they could have done so. \*\* of course it ‘implies’ this. It also doesn’t indicate what the Brits _could_ have done, and according to the Washington Times article (also linked above, but not, of course, by the OP), it states clearly : > [@](#): > > The prestigious post rotates through five regional groups, and this year it’s up to African governments to choose their candidate. So unless my geography is way worse than I ever imagined, GB did not have a voice in the nomination, which is, of course, the status of this whole thing (he’s been nominated). ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonel-gadaffi-to-head-united-nations-commission-on-human-rights/124666/19 "2002-08-20T15:45:56Z")
Okay, I nominate the UK, Mongolia and North Korea for the Axis of Culinary Evil. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonel-gadaffi-to-head-united-nations-commission-on-human-rights/124666/20 "2002-08-20T18:29:05Z")
I dunno, I kinda dig Mongolian BBQ. Holland is on the _Axis of Not Quite Evil But Definitely Highly Immoral_, by the way. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonel-gadaffi-to-head-united-nations-commission-on-human-rights/124666.md?page=2)