[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 27 (Thursday, February 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E266]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E266]]
     CONDEMNING THE SELECTION OF LIBYA TO CHAIR THE UNITED NATIONS 
                       COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 11, 2003

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I must reluctantly vote against this measure. 
We can all agree that Libya is a ridiculous choice to head a human 
rights commission in any civilized organization. The State Department 
has long listed Libya on its list of states sponsoring terrorism. Libya 
has shown over the years that it has no respect whatsoever for human 
rights, when it comes to its dealings with the rest of the world or 
even its own citizens. Additionally, this election just underscores 
what I have been saying for years about the United Nations: it is an 
organization that undermines American sovereignty and consistently 
works against U.S. interests.
  The problem with this legislation, however, is that it pretends to be 
something it is not. It pretends to be simply a condemnation of the 
elevation of Libya to head the UN Commission on Human Rights. Were that 
the case I would have voted in favor of the measure.
  But unfortunately the legislation ventures off course from there. The 
legislation calls on the president to demand that sanctions against 
Libya be initiated anew, after they had already been suspended. I do 
not believe that sanctions have ever hurt a dictator or repressive 
regime. On the contrary, sanctions against an authoritarian regime only 
give the leaders a scapegoat for the sufferings of their people--while 
the leadership itself manages to avoid any hardship. Sanctions do not 
lead to the defeat of these kinds of regimes, but actually strengthen 
them.
  Cuba is an excellent example: the United States has maintained 
sanctions against that nation for four decades, but its dictator is 
stronger than ever. The best way to break the hold of dictatorship on a 
country is to engage and trade with that country. Trade with a 
repressive regime brings in goods and ideas that undermine the hold of 
the ruling elites on power. It breaks the monopolization on economic 
activity that characterizes a closed society and economic system. It 
weakens dictatorships and it enriches the population.
  Mr. Speaker, I join my fellow members in condemning Libya's election 
to chair the UN Human Rights Committee. I do not support sanctions, be 
they against Libya or any other country.

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