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Democracy News
Human Rights Watch Releases World Report 2011
January 25, 2011
By: Randi Zung | Printer Friendly
According to the 21st annual edition of Human Right Watch’s World Report, a report that summarizes human rights conditions in more than 90 countries around the world, 2010 was marked by numerous shortcomings on the part of would-be champions of human rights. In the report’s introduction, Human Rights Watch executive director Kenneth Roth writes, “With disturbing frequency, governments that might have been counted on to generate such pressure for human rights are accepting the rationalizations and subterfuges of repressive governments and giving up.” Instead of condemning the actions of repressive governments, or exerting public pressure, Roth identifies that many would-be human rights defenders are taking “soft approaches,” such as calling “dialogue” and “cooperation.” Stating that there is a “lack of political will” to protect human rights, Roth states that pressure from foreign governments and international organizations is necessary because it helps support on-the-ground activists that are “[pushing] their government to respect rights.”
In the report, Human Right Watch harshly criticized United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for his reluctance to press human rights issues. Human Right Watch stated that Ban has gone “out of his way to portray oppressive governments in a positive way.” In a press conference, Human Rights Watch official Philippe Bolopion said that Ban was undeserving of a second term as Secretary General. Voice of America reported that Bolopion said that Ban would need to develop a more forceful and consistent approach when advocating for human rights in order to regain approval from Human Rights Watch. In response to Bolopion’s comments, United Nations spokesman Farhan Haq rejected the claim that Ban favors “private diplomacy,” and stated that Ban’s record shows that he has “achieved results both through quiet diplomacy, as well as through public pressure.” The report also criticized the European Union's first high representative for foreign affairs and security policy Catherine Ashton for her preference for “quiet diplomacy.”
For a complete version of Human Rights Watch’s World Report 2011, please see:
Human Rights Watch: World Report 2011
Sources:
Human Rights Watch - World Report 2011
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