questions for Wednesday's class - 502

[Caroline Liou]

Hi everyone,

Here are some very broad questions I'd like to suggest as
possibilities for discussion in this coming Wednesday's class:

1. Under US former president George W Bush, the US 'boycotted' the
Human Rights Council. Under the Obama administration, the US has
joined the HR Council. What kind of impact does this have on the
effectiveness of the Human Rights Council in general?

2. China has not signed the Rome Statute and the US has 'unsigned' it.
What impact does this have on the ICC? What mechanisms can be put in
place to ensure that these countries sign the Rome Statute?

3. Are there any specific mechanisms aimed at holding Transnational
Corporations accountable for human rights violations?

Cheers, Caroline

[Cheery Zahau]

Hi Caroline,

 

1) In General, since US joined HRC, the perminent office of US in Geneva hold briefings, raise more questions at UPR process. In the case with Burma, Nepal, Singapore and other Asian countries, they are quite open to Stakeholders' contribution for the UPR process. In deed for Burma, Ambassador Eileen Dohela was one of the three Troikas members.  I am not sure how involved they are in terms of funding and specical procedures. I can give you some contacts if need be.

 

2) No enforcement as far as I know except pressure

 

3) HRC has come up with the themastic study on Cooperate Social Responsibility, which I think we had during Ajern Sriphrapha's class. Others can contribute more and I will try to look for the HRC resolutions on this from my folders...

 

Cheers,

Cheery

--
" The only constant is change"