Even worse, American influence on the new council would be reduced. Since its inception under Eleanor Roosevelt's leadership, the United States has been a virtually permanent fixture on the commission and its leading advocate for equality, openness and freedom.
But under the new council, non-democratic countries would hold 55 percent of the votes. That would weaken the U.S.-led bloc. Plus, the United States would be term-limited. That means our representative could serve only six years before having to take three off.
The United States shouldn't give the new Human Rights Council any credibility; it needs to earn it. In fact, we shouldn't even attempt to be a member during the council's first session. Instead, we should monitor it from the sidelines, to make sure no human rights abusers are allowed to join and that at least three quarters of the council is made up of democratic nations.
Washington should also consider creating a separate human-rights group, one that includes only nations genuinely dedicated to defending human rights and freedoms. This new institution could be funded by the contributions the United States otherwise would make to the Human Rights Council. It would promote basic human rights and serve as a watchdog over the new council.
It's a shame it's come to this, considering the high ideals FDR upheld for the United Nations. Sixty years later, the organization turns a blind eye to genocide and other abuses. For the sake of those suffering, it's time to force the U.N. to fulfill its promises.