Israel Matzav

'Human Rights Council' too busy to deal with Iran

In an article on Iran's disingenuous behavior in front of the UN 'Human Rights Council' on Monday, the New York Times comes up with this gem that says it all about the 'Human Rights Council' and its priorities.

In his statement to the council, Mr. Larijani said Iran had fully cooperated with the United Nations’ human rights mechanisms and had invited Ms. Pillay, the human rights commissioner, to visit the country. Ms. Pillay’s spokesman, Rupert Colville, confirmed that Mr. Larijani had issued the invitation on Friday. Ms. Pillay responded that she would be unable to visit before 2011 and suggested that a team from her office be allowed to visit Iran first. Mr. Larijani had not yet responded to that suggestion, Mr. Colville said.

Human rights groups said Iran’s claims of cooperation with the United Nations were exaggerated. No Human Rights Council official has visited the country since 2005, and numerous requests from special investigators remained unanswered, said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, deputy director of Amnesty International’s Middle East program.

Iran actually invites the 'Human Rights Commissioner' to visit - when no investigator has visited since 2005 - and Ms. Pillay doesn't have the time to visit before 2011, which is at least eleven months from now? With what is she so busy? The fake Goldstone Report?

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 10:58 AM