Right Groups Scolds Egypt

Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Oxfam International are reproaching Egypt and other “spoiler” countries for holding hostage the UN World Summit over crucial measures on human rights, security, genocide and poverty reduction.

The leading rights groups says the criticized governments that include those of India, Egypt, Algeria, Pakistan, Venezuela, Cuba, Iran, Syria and Russia have thrown negotiations on a crucial proposal into crisis just days away from the biggest meeting of world leaders in history, September 14-16 in New York.

An overwhelming majority of states from all regions of the world have endorsed the proposal to create a new Human Rights Council with more authority and that can sit throughout the year, review human rights in all countries and address all human rights situations.

“The possibility that a small number of states with deeply troubling human rights records could block the creation of a more effective human rights body is not only ironic, it is disgraceful,” HRW said.

“Millions of men, women and children are looking to this Summit for something better than a forum for horse-trading on human rights,” said Amnesty.