March 15, 2006

Citizens for Global Solutions Applauds
Creation of U.N. Human Rights Council

Washington, D.C. -- Below is a statement from Don Kraus, Executive Vice President of Citizens for Global Solutions, which supported the adoption of the draft resolution for a new Human Rights Council at the United Nations:

“The creation of a new United Nations Human Rights Council is a positive step forward for the global community and U.S. foreign policy. There is now a legitimate forum in which we can tackle the worst crimes known to man. We strongly urge that the United States, its friends and allies work together so that both the membership and resources of the Council reflect its critical role.

“We share the Bush administration’s view that the Council should have more closely reflected the original vision outlined by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan. However, we believe that key components such as the specific criteria for membership, peer review and year-round meetings to ensure rapid response to violations, will improve the prospect that we will see the emergence of a robust Council. Constructive U.S. engagement in the coming months and years is vital for the Council to be strong and we urge the Bush administration to adopt a laser like focus to its development.

“We hope the Bush administration will recognize the need to remain engaged both on the development of the Council and on a broader array of critical U.N. related issues. For six decades, the U.S. has had a special relationship with the U.N.  Like any long-term relationship, we’ve had our differences and worked through them. Over this time we’ve become strategically linked and the U.S. needs to continue working on and strengthening its relationship with this key foreign policy partner to secure a better and safer world for another 60-plus years.

“We stand ready to support Secretary Rice as she seeks to implement the vision outlined in the U.S. statement before the General Assembly today. The statement reiterates the U.S. commitment to support all U.N. institutions that advance democracy and human rights and to strengthen this vital multilateral organization. Doing so will not be easy. Securing a positive outcome on a host of critical U.N. issues in the coming months, including the election of Kofi Annan’s successor, will take hard work, sustained focus and discipline. U.S. foreign policy interests require that Secretary Rice put this among her highest priorities.”

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Notes to Editors:
Citizens for Global Solutions is a non-partisan membership organization that envisions a future in which nations work together to abolish war, protect our rights and freedoms, and solve the problems facing humanity that no one nation can solve alone.


Updated March 15, 2006

Howard Salter
Director of Communications
202 546 3950 ext 112