Bush Makes Mockery of UN Declaration of Human Rights in NY Speech

At his speech to the UN, Bush had the audacity to invoke the Universal Declaration of Human Rights several times, despite the fact that he's been violating it over and over again.

He was quite selective in the articles that he mentioned by name.

Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says, "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment."

For some reason, Bush failed to mention Article 5.

Article 6 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says, "Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law."

For some reason, Bush failed to mention Article 6.

Article 7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says, "All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law."

For some reason, Bush failed to mention Article 7.

Article 8 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says, "Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted to him."

For some reason, Bush failed to mention Article 8.

Article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says, "No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile."

For some reason, Bush failed to mention Article 9.

Article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says, "Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal...."

For some reason, Bush failed to mention Article 10.

Article 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says, "Everyone charged with a penal offense has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defense."

For some reason, Bush failed to mention Article 11.

Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says, "No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence.... Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks."

For some reason, Bush failed to mention Article 12.

The reason is obvious.

By countenancing brutal treatment of prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere,

By disappearing detainees to secret prisons around the world,

By holding kangaroo courts in Guantanamo,

By granting himself-and having Congress approve-the right to label anyone an enemy combatant and toss them behind bars, without habeas corpus protections,

By using the Patriot Act and the NSA and a signing statement on last year's postal law to spy on Americans or invade their privacy,

Bush has systematically violated the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

What a joke, what chutzpah, that after so sullying that declaration Bush tried to uphold it in New York.

But he left his dirty fingerprints all over it.

Matthew Rothschild is the editor of The Progressive magazine.

(c) 2007 The Progressive