Why Doesn’t the US Prevent the EU from Violating Human Rights?
Published in Granma Internacional
(Cuba) on 17 November 2012
by Patricio Montesinos (link to original)
(Cuba) on 17 November 2012
by Patricio Montesinos (link to original)
Translated from
by Krystal Miller.
Edited by Kathleen Weinberger.
Why doesn't the U.S. government block the European Union (EU) as it would use any other “tool” so that the so-called Old Continent would respect the human rights blatantly violated by the repressive political wave unleashed in its countries against peaceful protesters?
The last strike was just reported in Spain this week, which resulted in almost 80 wounded, including children. This is a result of the use of indiscriminate force against civilians by policemen, who fought against people right and left by order of the right-wing administration of President Mariano Rajoy.
The actions of the police in Spain and other member countries of the EU, including Italy and Portugal, some say, is enough reason for much of the international community, such as the Human Rights Council, an organization of the United Nations, to speak out against that aggressive behavior.
Washington’s regime, the greatest champion in the world in regard to human rights, should operate similarly in response to the widespread violence seen in Europe. This should not only reduce the use of police force, but also the millions of evictions of families from their homes, since it is a case specific to Spain.
During the harmless protests among the European nations, during which thousands have been arrested, there have been hundreds of cases of torture by the gendarmerie and threats of dismissal against workers in order to prevent them from participating in the strikes against unemployment. In addition, there have been social cuts provoked by the economic crisis, which also shakes up the countries of the EU.
Also, in Spain there have been many people that have committed suicide after being fired from their jobs or because they were evicted from their homes due to their inability to pay the bank on time.
The U.S. and its European allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have invaded various countries and carried out military interventions for far less extreme violations of human rights.
Worst yet, successive North American administrations have justified again and again to the UN General Assembly that the blockade that has been enforced on Cuba for more than 50 years is warranted, among other things, due to the human rights violations perpetrated by the Caribbean island.
Indeed, this was demonstrated in New York on Nov. 13, when reviewers of the blockade almost unanimously adopted the measure for the 21st consecutive year, saying that the hostile policy of its government constituted a “tool” by which the mayor of Antilles can honor human rights and freedom of expression.
There would then be questions to ask as to why the current North American government doesn't block the EU using that same “tool,” leaving that regional organization in repression.
Of course, if by “tools” we mean measures for preventing human rights violations, then the United States should enforce a blockade on itself right away.
The last strike was just reported in Spain this week, which resulted in almost 80 wounded, including children. This is a result of the use of indiscriminate force against civilians by policemen, who fought against people right and left by order of the right-wing administration of President Mariano Rajoy.
The actions of the police in Spain and other member countries of the EU, including Italy and Portugal, some say, is enough reason for much of the international community, such as the Human Rights Council, an organization of the United Nations, to speak out against that aggressive behavior.
Washington’s regime, the greatest champion in the world in regard to human rights, should operate similarly in response to the widespread violence seen in Europe. This should not only reduce the use of police force, but also the millions of evictions of families from their homes, since it is a case specific to Spain.
During the harmless protests among the European nations, during which thousands have been arrested, there have been hundreds of cases of torture by the gendarmerie and threats of dismissal against workers in order to prevent them from participating in the strikes against unemployment. In addition, there have been social cuts provoked by the economic crisis, which also shakes up the countries of the EU.
Also, in Spain there have been many people that have committed suicide after being fired from their jobs or because they were evicted from their homes due to their inability to pay the bank on time.
The U.S. and its European allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have invaded various countries and carried out military interventions for far less extreme violations of human rights.
Worst yet, successive North American administrations have justified again and again to the UN General Assembly that the blockade that has been enforced on Cuba for more than 50 years is warranted, among other things, due to the human rights violations perpetrated by the Caribbean island.
Indeed, this was demonstrated in New York on Nov. 13, when reviewers of the blockade almost unanimously adopted the measure for the 21st consecutive year, saying that the hostile policy of its government constituted a “tool” by which the mayor of Antilles can honor human rights and freedom of expression.
There would then be questions to ask as to why the current North American government doesn't block the EU using that same “tool,” leaving that regional organization in repression.
Of course, if by “tools” we mean measures for preventing human rights violations, then the United States should enforce a blockade on itself right away.