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A2 US NEWS
Tuesday 9 July 2019
Trump administration reviews human rights’ role in U.S. policy

By ERIC TUCKER conservative scholar and
Associated Press author, Glendon turned
WASHINGTON (AP) — The down an honor from Notre
Trump administration said Dame the year President
Monday that it will review Barack Obama gave
the role of human rights in a commencement ad-
American foreign policy, dress there, protesting the
appointing a commission school’s decision to recog-
expected to elevate con- nize him in spite of his sup-
cerns about religious free- port for abortion rights.
dom and abortion. Monday’s announcement
Human rights groups ac- alarmed human rights
cused the administration groups, which said they
of politicizing foreign policy feared the commission
in a way that could un- could roll back progress in
dermine protections for establishing protections for
marginalized populations, marginalized group.
including the gay, lesbian Amnesty International USA
and transgender com- said there was no reason
munity. Democratic sena- for such a review given the
tors have raised concerns decades-old protections in
about the panel’s intent place, while the American
and composition, fearing it Civil Liberties Union said
would consist of members “taxpayer resources would
who “hold views hostile to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, right, unveils the creation of Commission on Unalienable Rights, be better spent assessing
women’s rights” and blow headed by Mary Ann Glendon, left, a Harvard Law School professor and a former U.S. Ambassador the administration’s failure
away existing standards to the Holy See, during an announcement at the US State Department in Washington, Monday, July to meet basic human rights
and definitions. 8, 2019. obligations, rather than re-
Secretary of State Mike Associated Press defining those rights.”
Pompeo announced the claims have “proliferated,” it mean to say, or claim, the 1948 Universal Dec- Adotei Akwei, Amnesty
creation of the Commis- he said, nations are in con- that something is in fact laration of Human Rights, International’s deputy di-
sion on Unalienable Rights, flict about what constitutes a human right?” Pompeo which was adopted by the rector for advocacy and
saying the country must a human right and which said. “How do we know, or United Nations and laid out government relations, said
be “vigilant that human rights should be respected how do we determine that broadly accepted rights he was concerned that the
rights discourse not be cor- and treated as valid. this — or that — is a human and freedoms. commission, in its use of the
rupted or hijacked or used “I hope that the commis- right. Is it true, and therefore The commission will be word “unalienable,” was
for dubious or malignant sion will revisit the most ba- ought it to be honored?” chaired by Harvard Law aiming to redefine human
purposes.” As human rights sic of questions: What does He said he expected the School professor Mary Ann rights in the narrow way
most comprehensive re- Glendon, a former U.S. am- America’s founding fathers
view on the subject since bassador to the Holy See. A understood them.q

Fuel makers launch ad criticizing

Trump ethanol mandates

By TODD RICHMOND ufacturing economy.” This past May the admin-
Associated Press It goes on to say: “Presi- istration tried to calm the
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — An dent Trump, only you can dispute by lifting a sum-
association representing fix this.” mertime ban on gasoline
oil refineries launched a The ad underscores how mixed with 15% ethanol .
television ad in four swing Trump’s administration has The ban had been imposed
states Monday criticizing found itself caught be- out of smog concerns but
President Donald Trump’s tween the oil industry and the administration’s move
moves to expand the use corn growers, two key cleared the way for year-
of ethanol in gasoline. flanks of Trump’s base. round sales and expanded
The American Fuel and For more than a decade the ethanol market. Only a
Petrochemical Manufac- federal law has mandated fraction of U.S. gas stations
turers’ 30-second spot will that oil refineries mix etha- currently sell the 15% blend,
run statewide through July nol into their fuel. The Trump known as E15.
in Michigan, Pennsylva- administration’s former Officials in the EPA Region 5
nia, Ohio and Wisconsin. Environmental Protection office, which is responsible
The group didn’t immedi- Agency chief, Scott Pruitt, for Wisconsin, Michigan
ately say how much it was had angered lawmakers, and Ohio, didn’t immedi-
spending on the buy. growers and ethanol pro- ately respond to an email
The ad claims that Trump cessors by granting exemp- Monday seeking comment
promised a “win-win ener- tions sparing refineries from on the ad. No one imme-
gy policy for all Americans. that mandate. The dispute diately responded to an
But for small refineries, un- sparked a billboard cam- email sent to the general
checked ethanol man- paign and a tractor rally by inbox for the EPA Region
dates are job killers, hurting angry Midwestern farmers 3 office, which oversees
the backbone of our man- last year. Pennsylvania.q