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International
Dr Vickie Casa- Jacques Baud
nova-Willis “The danger of false narrative in foreign
US Human Rights relations”
Network The foreign policy of the West in its current
Dr. Casanova-Willis international relations with other countries
noted that the myth of is tainted by groundless accusations, biased
white supremacy and the assessments, and unverifiable claims of
corrupting influence of human rights violations most often targeting
unchecked greed appear the adversaries – or even enemies – of the
to have a stranglehold on United States. This is followed directly by
the sanity of the powerful, sanctions or punitive measures, bypassing
and even on those in more conventional and graduated diplomatic
positions of influence responses. Addressing human rights, the
whose hearts may at times be in the right place. rule of law and issues that affect whole
What do the people on the ground have to say populations is perfectly legitimate, provided
– and where can they say it -- about living on its true purpose is to improve the situation.
the margins in an international institution that But most frequently, human rights are used
uplifts the language of human rights, but is as a leverage to weaken the position of the
struggling not just to walk the talk, but even to accused countries. Sanctions are not designed
talk the talk? to promote an improvement, but rather
to stimulate an uprising by the countries’
Barrister A MAJID populations against their leaders. This
TRAMBOO manner of managing international relations
IHRAAM Director, Europe indicates a profound dysfunction of the
Barrister Tramboo pointed rule of law in Western countries that is then
out that it is the duty of States reflected in UN human rights institutions. It
to act responsibly to promote demonstrates the inability or unwillingness
and protect human rights
globally. The member States
of the United Nations must create a process
and a political atmosphere conducive to
implementing human rights resolutions in
letter and spirit. They must act on grave human
rights violations. The past and present colonial
and occupying powers to this day enjoy total
impunity for multiple crimes and ongoing
exploitations. The occupied state of Jammu
& Kashmir is a classic example of this brutal
occupation. Kashmiris are denied their right
to self-determination by the Indian authorities
in a blatant breach of UN Security Council
resolutions. The world community must act to of Western intelligence services to identify
ensure that the people of Kashmir are extended or to understand problems, leading to
the promised referendum so all brutal human misattribution and deadly confrontations.
rights violations cease forthwith. Barrister
Tramboo recommended reform of the United Mary Ann Mills –
Nations General Assembly, the Security Council Tribal Leader Alaska
and the Human Rights Council to improve As a witness to Alaska history, Ms. Mills
victims’ access to human rights mechanisms recalled Martin Luther King’s statement that
with a view to balancing the power within the the USA is founded upon genocide and she
UN between all States, large and small. pointed out that it continues to wipe out the
0 w w w. d i va i n t e r n at i o n a l . c h