The United States, United Nations and human rights

To the editor:

This past Friday marked the 62nd anniversary of the adoption of the U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the founding document of the human rights system -- an anniversary celebrated across the world as Human Rights Day. The declaration recognizes that "the inherent dignity and ... the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world."

In honor of this day, it seems apropos to reflect on the United States' commitment to protecting human rights.

A Nov. 8 Review-Journal editorial lambasted the United States' first-ever participation in a review of its human rights record by a U.N. council. The concern, apparently, is that the process could allow nation-states whose human rights records are far worse than ours to participate in the review of the U.S. government, a world leader on issues of individual freedom and civil rights. Such self-righteous indignation, however, fails to account for the value of including ourselves in such a process -- which reinforces the United States' democratic foundation and sets a standard for meaningful participation by other countries.

The reason we participate is the very reason we are seen as a beacon of democracy and freedom. Critical review of government is one of the core principles upon which our country was founded. As part of the democratic process, we are willing to operate in the light of day and let our citizens -- and in this case the world -- assess our record. Subjecting ourselves to scrutiny and allowing for the informed participation of citizens increases public confidence and provides a basis for accountability to the citizens in our own country. And as a world leader, U.S. participation in the review process promotes government accountability within all countries, and advances human rights around the world.

Contrary to the opinions of some, our participation in the U.N. process does not mean that we are "groveling" before countries whose records on human rights are abysmal. Quite the opposite: Our participation establishes the United States' legitimacy as a world leader. As Michael Posner, assistant secretary of State for democracy, human rights and labor remarked about the United States' review, "This is what principled engagement looks like. We are trying to lead by example. We're not going to do things because some other government tells us to do them. We're going to do them because they're the right thing to do."

If the United States, a "shining beacon of freedom," is not willing to hold up its own human rights record and engage in self-reflection, what country ever will?

Additionally, characterizations of the process as simply allowing certain nations to hijack the review and make a mockery of the United States are largely unfounded. The questions posed by most countries were respectful and legitimate, and in fact, many of the questions raised during the United States' review were remarkably similar to concerns raised by domestic civil society groups that were included in reports filed by the United States.

The United States does need to improve its record in several key areas, including racial justice, women's rights, LGBT and disability rights, and discrimination against Muslims and Americans of South Asian and Arab descent. These are legitimate human rights concerns and they are no less urgent just because other countries have more troubling records. Do we judge ourselves against the lowest common denominator, or against our own greatest ideals?

For those critics who believe the United States need not comply with human rights standards, let us not forget our historic role in their development, including former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt's leadership in drafting the U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Indeed, human rights are not some nebulous and foreign set of principles. Rather, they are based on deeply held American values of dignity and equality for all.

While we are not beholden to the laws of other countries, we must remember that we aren't alone in this world. The international community's perception of the United States is important, not only to our own security but to our legitimacy as a world leader. If we wish to maintain the respect of the global community, we should emulate those leaders who have drawn strength from self-assessment rather than fallen victim to the delusions of their own infallibility.

Rebecca Paddock

Las Vegas

The writer is currently working at the ACLU of Nevada conducting research on the conditions in Nevada's prisons using constitutional and international civil and human rights standards.