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Annan Admits UN Slacking on Human Rights Abuses

Geneva, April 8 (Prensa Latina) UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has stated the international organization is failing to protect against human rights abuses.

Addressing the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva Thursday, Annan asserted the United Nations needs a new human rights body if it is to prevent appalling suffering in the world.

"We have reached a point at which the commission"s declining credibility has cast a shadow on the reputation of the United Nations system as a whole, where piecemeal reforms will not be enough," Annan told delegates.

According to Annan, the commission"s ability to perform its tasks has been overtaken by new needs and undermined by the politicization of its sessions and the selectivity of its work.

As part of a package of reforms unveiled last month, the secretary-general proposed a permanent human rights council to replace the present commission.

As a standing United Nations organization, the body would able to meet when necessary, addressing human rights violations as they arise. At present, the commission can only address issues during its annual six-week session.

Council members would be elected directly by the General Assembly by a two-thirds majority and fulfil specific human rights criteria, according to the proposed reforms.

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