Address to the U.N. Human Rights Council.

Address to the U.N. Human Rights Council. On February 28, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addressed the UNHuman Rights Council. She took 3000-plus words to say what could havebeen expressed in three: Qadhafi must go. Indeed, it was remarkable that she did not choke on the languagecongratulating the HRC for moving to expel Libya--an organization whoseprincipal function has appeared to be finding new ways to denounce themote in Israel's eye while ignoring the beam in the eyes of otherstates. And, almost amusingly, the secretary seems to have found in thedustbins of the previous administration a useful commitment to promotingdemocracy while offering platitudes such as "the power of humandignity is always underestimated until the day it finallyprevails." Nevertheless, Clinton used the opportunity to move beyond endorsingthe efforts of democrats in Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya. She gingerlynudged Jordan and Bahrain to "take steps ... to open theirpolitical space." She urged the council to take stronger actionagainst Iran asking rhetorically "Why do people have the right tolive free from fear in Tripoli but not Tehran?" And she laid down a three principle agenda for the council: -- demonstrate the will to address gross abuses, hold violatorsaccountable, and work with all people and organizations genuinelycommitted to reform; -- apply a single standard to all countries based on the UniversalDeclaration of Human Rights and not "devote disproportionate to anyone country" (read Israel); and -- abandon "tired rhetorical debates" (read, Israelbashing) and focus on making tangible improvements in people'slives. Indeed, an ambitious agenda; if fortunate, the ostensibly easyobjective of ending the Qadhafi dictatorship can be achieved--despitethe churlish colonel's vigorous efforts to suppress his rebellioussubjects. Address to the U.N. Human Rights Council By Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State Text: www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2011/02/28/secretary_clintons_remarks_to_the_human_rights_council_109053.html Reviewed by David T. Jones