"As High Commissioner for Human Rights, I call for an immediate investigation. Justice must be done for the victim. It's not just this individual case. It calls into question the delivery of justice in all situations like this,” UN's Navi Pillay offered in urging full investigation by US Authorities, local and national, of the killing of Trayvon Martin.
The UN Human Rights Council is obliged to review the human rights situation in all UN member states and particularly the commitment to the Rule of Law. The failure of local law enforcement to undertake a more full investigation raises a red flag in the shooting of an unarmed citizen, especially if race or other identity factor played role in either the shooting or response by police/prosecutor. Ms Pillay indicated surprise that the shooter was not arrested right away, and expressed concern about Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law. "The law should operate equally in respect of all violations. I will be awaiting an investigation and prosecution and trial and of course reparations for the victims concerned,"
Some Americans reacted by suggesting the UN has more prolific human rights abusers to confront. Indeed it does, and it has focused on Iran, Myanmar, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Hungary, Australia, and Ireland in last few months to some degree as part of regular review or in addressing special concerns. In other words, no country has a perfect record and is subject to review or special attention. The US has already garnered attention for its treatment of Bradley Manning (the accused Wikileaks source) and the somewhat improvised legal foundations for Guantanamo Detention Center. Holding itself up as a champion for the “rule of law,” a good thing, brings also more scrutiny. The Trayvon Martin case, regardless if the shooter George Zimmerman is ultimately found guilty, reflects prima facie evidence of the failure of law enforcement to uphold the rule of law.
Below is our Article from late March, when we already anticipated that the UN, particularly UN Human Rights Council, might look at the Trayvon Martin case more closely. Our projection appears to be coming true. Read Below Blog for Film or link to “Will Trayvon Martin Come Before the UN”
Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey - FOLOW mo @MuhamedSacirbey
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Will Trayvon Martin Come Before UN?
Posted on 22 March at 20:15
It is more likely than not, especially if US Authorities fail to provide remedy. The UN Human Rights Council Regularly now conducts broad range of human rights considerations for all 193 Member States. The killing of Trayvon Martin would be evidence of US Goernment failure to protect its citizens - in this instance from unlawful use of force and especially if race, religion, gender or other form of bias was basis for crime or for the law not acting adequately to protect/defend the rights of all citizens. Thus, I have little doubt that with current publicity given, the US Government would have to account for the handling of the Trayvon Martin killing and/or response (non-response) of law enforcement.
Mechanism in Developing a Global "Human Rights Map":
In 2006 the UN General Assembly established the Human Rights Council - in part to evaluate the human rights records of Member States, which are to be "regularly reviewed with the full involvement of individual governments and supported by expert assistance from the Human Rights Council." Council President, Laura Dupuy Lasserre describes the Review as providing “a comprehensive map on human rights situations around the globe.”
Each State is assessed every four years by a working group which is made up of representatives from all 47 member states of the Council. The outcome reports are subsequently presented to the Human Rights Council for further discussion, if necessary, and adoption. UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay said the success of the UPR was a “significant achievement” which had led to positive legislative and policy change.
Review of Keeping Promises/Commitment:
The Review offers States “an opportunity for sharing of experiences and best practices and an occasion for self-reflection in a constructive spirit”, Dupuy Lasserre says. The involvement of other stakeholders – National Human Rights Institutions, NGOs and UN country teams has also been crucial, she says, and will continue to be, in analyzing the implementation of recommendations. In the second round of the UPR, which begins in May, States will be reporting on progress in implementing the recommendations made after the first assessment. Many see this as the “moment of truth”. Navi Pillay (UN High Commissioner for Human Rights) noted that the second cycle presents States with an opportunity to evaluate implementation of recommendations the first time round, “will test the mechanism’s value and credibility.” Pillay also called on States “to be impartial, objective and realistic in assessing the human rights situation and putting forward new recommendations… “
US on Notice on Several Issues Including Treatment of Bradley Manning re Wikileaks:
The United States has not escaped criticism from Member States for its human rights record relating to everything from social justice to prison conditions to racism to adherence to the Rule of Law. However, it would be a mistake to see such criticism as only criticism by "ideological adversaries" as China, Russia or Iran. For instance, the US continues to be harshly criticized for Guantanamo and its treatment/torture of alleged Wikileaks source Bradley Manning by the UN Human Rights individual experts/Special Rapporteurs. (Profiling of American Muslims and spying may also rise to top of agenda). Failure to deliver justice and the Rule of Law on the Trayvon Martin case should be taken seriously, although too many segments of the US leadership/population fall back upon rhetoric rather than substance in defending the freedom and Constitution of our American Republic. It is no defense to point out the human rights of China or Iran or Uganda or Saudi Arabia as a defense. America is supposed to be above that, and this is the reason why regardless of our ethnic, racial religious identities/origins, most of us are Americans first.
Also See our Blog for Video –“UN Human Rights Chief: “Guantanamo is Entrenched”- http://diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/un-human-rights-chief-guantanamo-entrenched-by-ambassador-mo/43989
Also See our Blog for Video –“I’m White: Trayvon Could be My Son” - http://diplomaticallyincorrect.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/im-white-trayvon-could-be-my-son/
