There is a glaring disparity in the treatment of countries in the world today when it comes to the issue of human rights. Developing nations, which are often plagued by economic instability, poverty, and political instability, have become victims of an unjust approach by the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The Human Rights Council, a vital international institution, has a crucial role in the protection and promotion of human rights globally. The council is mandated to address human rights violations and make recommendations to member states. However, a concerning pattern of unfair treatment has emerged in the council’s approach towards developing countries in recent years.
The Human Rights Council was established by the United Nations General Assembly on the 15th of March 2006 to replace the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. It is comprised of 47 member states who are elected by the UN General Assembly (and serve for three years for a maximum of two consecutive terms). However, the composition of the council itself raises questions about its impartiality and fairness, as certain developed nations with questionable human rights records hold significant influence within the council.
One of the key issues that illustrate the unfair treatment is the double standards applied within the council. Developed countries, with their greater resources and influence, often evade adequate investigations into their own human rights violations. The council’s approach towards developing nations often lacks tangible empathy and understanding of the challenges these countries face. Instead of providing guidance and support, the council tends to adopt a patronizing stance that overlooks the unique circumstances and historical contexts of developing nations. At the Seventy-Seventh session, 24th and 25th meetings of the United Nations General Assembly, expressing his concern, Gerardo Peñalver Portal, Cuba’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, said selectivity, punitive practices, and double standards contribute to the manipulation of human rights against the South, which leads to distrust in the Council. Many other nations echoed his thoughts.
The council’s fixation on civil and political rights overshadows economic, social, and cultural rights. While civil and political rights are undeniably crucial, the disregard for economic, social, and cultural rights in developing countries perpetuates a skewed perception. The council’s priorities seem to align with the interests of developed nations, which often prioritize civil and political rights at the expense of other aspects of human rights. This neglect further exacerbates the unfair treatment faced by developing countries. There simply is one rule for the goose and another for the gander. More than a decade after dozens of detainees were held in a CIA-operated secret detention system – authorized from 2001 to 2009 – no one had been brought to justice for the crimes under international law and systematic human rights violations committed under that programme, including enforced disappearance, torture, and other ill-treatment conducted by the United States of America. Guantanamo does get flagged up. But many instances of poor behaviour in a nation like the USA, such as the notorious “three strikes” law, seem to largely escape the attention of the UNHRC.
Furthermore, the council’s intervention in developing countries is often motivated by political interests and ulterior motives, rather than a genuine commitment to improving human rights. Developed nations frequently exploit the council as a tool to further their geopolitical agendas, selectively targeting specific countries while turning a blind eye to others with a similar or worse human rights record. This selective approach is a clear manifestation of the power dynamics at play within the council, favoring influential nations over the weaker ones. At the Seventy-Eighth Session,53rd and 54th meetings of the United Nations General Assembly, the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) approved six resolutions, including on the human rights situations in Ukraine, Syria, Iran, Myanmar and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. At the outset, Azerbaijan’s delegate, on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, expressed deep concern over the selective adoption of country-specific resolutions in the Committee and Human Rights Council. This practice exploits human rights for political purposes and breaches principles of universality, impartiality, and objectivity, she said.
Financial disparities also play a significant role in perpetuating this unfair treatment. Developing nations, burdened by economic constraints, struggle to fulfill their human rights obligations comprehensively. The council’s approach fails to acknowledge the structural inequalities and challenges faced by these countries, implying a disregard for the socioeconomic context in which human rights violations occur.
Addressing these issues necessitates a fundamental reevaluation of the Human Rights Council’s approach towards developing countries. The council must commit to a more equitable and balanced framework that assesses human rights records without bias or double standards. Moreover, it must recognize the interconnected nature of all human rights and ensure equal emphasis on civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. Tailored interventions that account for the unique challenges faced by developing nations are essential to address the root causes of human rights violations and promote sustainable change.
The unfair treatment in the Human Rights Council’s approach towards developing countries is a troubling phenomenon that threatens the council’s credibility and undermines the quest for universal human rights. By perpetuating double standards, disregarding economic, social, and cultural rights, and failing to account for the complexities of developing contexts, the council continues to foster injustices and inequalities. The council must rectify its approach and adopt a more equitable framework that upholds the principles of fairness and inclusivity. Only then can it truly fulfill its mandate of protecting and promoting human rights for all.
The image below shows the author at the UNHRC
