What do Somalia and America have in common?

[VorLonUK]

What do Somalia and America have in common?

[VorLonUK]

This shocked me today when I heard it on the News (Story in connection with Abu Ghraib prison) so I did some checking and sure enough it's very clear.

Any Ideas?  Here Goes,

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US stands with Somalia (*which currently has no recognised government (*22-08-2004 New Parliament sworn In)) as the only two countries in the world to refuse to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (ratification means the convention has to be incorporated into national law)

I found it difficult to understand, when clearly (as currently with the stance on Iraq) the US stands for Democracy, Fairness and Human Rights (amongst others). So why ignore this Convention intended to Protect Children and stand with a 3rd world country in defiance?  Btw the The UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child on 20 November 1989 - 15 years ago!


Link to Unicef

BBC Article on Human Rights

BBC Article on Childrens Rights.  

[ric]

Talk about making a mountain out of a mole hill

[VorLonUK]

I appreciate the Link Ric - Thanks

It just Highlights the US's position as "poor" to say the least.

This is why some of us have a problem swallowing GWB's retoric on invading Iraq. Although his reasons for doing so have changed several times since the start, they have now ended up being more or less doing something good for the Iraqi People - The Moral High Ground if you like. Now this treaty has been about for a while so it can't be fairly dumped on GWB's lap, but nevertheless you can see why many have a problem with the US stance on matters when they openly display double standards and that is part my point to this post. To give an indication of how important all the other nations thought of it (almost 200) of them, this was the most widely and rapidly ratified human rights treaty in history - I think that says a lot on it's importance!

If we "The West" or the US currently with Iraq go around saying or implementing x, y or z in the role of world peacekeeper and moral guide to democracy then we Have to be beyond Reproach if we don't then how can we gain or expect respect?

This is half the problem imo with the world at present, ie some that Preach and some that Resent. It would be nice for it to even out a little and as a result have a more tolerant world - which in turn would lead to greater peace.    

[Mefistofeles]

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which currently has no recognised government

Technically speaking Somolia has no recognized government so how it can stand with the US on an issue?   Nonetheless I agree with your statement; although it is quite suprising because the US is a signatory to numerous international accords and treaties including the International Declaration of Human Rights.

However your government isn't a signatory to Protocols 7 or 12 of the ECHR .

ECHR

[VorLonUK]

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However your government isn't a signatory to Protocols 7 or 12 of the ECHR

Thanks Mefist!

How did you find that?  lol - good one !

Did all other governments then sign all the Protocols? Is the UK the odd one out on the ECHR then?

[Mefistofeles]

I've heard complaints that British human rights abuses in Northern Ireland have not been addressed or minimially do to non adherence to certain ECHR protocols.  I don't know if those accusations refer to protocols 7 and 12.  

 

[Overkill]

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I've heard complaints that British human rights abuses in Northern Ireland have not been addressed or minimially do not non adherence to certain ECHR protocols.

Although these claims are unproven they do contravene the said ECHR protocols. There are ongoing investigations into claims of human rights abuses of IRA suspects, that were brought by Amnesty international under the last govt. Who, it should be noted, after applauding Amnesty international when they highlighted abuses by Iron Curtain countries, virtually told AI to F off!!! In HofC speak however................  

[ScutMonkey]

I wouldn't be suprised if the reason why we haven't signed it is on principle:

"ratification means the convention has to be incorporated into national law"

I have no love for the UN and I don't want any part of a foreign body making laws for the US.  What if that treaty says something to the effect of, "the wishes of minors override the wishes of their parents" and it interferes with decisions on medical treatment or whatnot.  I'd really have to wonder and what the exact implications for this treaty would be on our system of laws.