Belgium’s vote in favor of appointing Saudi Arabia to a United Nations women’s rights commission was due to a regrettable diplomatic mix-up, said Prime Minister Charles Michel, after the decision sparked a firestorm of criticism at home.
And here is the reason for the so-called “diplomatic mix-up”:
When the US called for a sudden vote, Michel explained that Belgium’s UN representative did not have sufficient time to consult with Brussels, and pushed through Riyadh’s bid.
One would hope that an intelligent human being would not cast a high-level vote without knowing what he was voting for, especially one regarding Saudi Arabia, a country known for exporting its Wahhabi ideology globally and its oppression of women. Surely foreign minister Didier Reynders knew that the vote had something to do with women. This is the same clown who posted an image online of himself dressed in “blackface with white ruffs” a couple of years ago. Now, thanks to him and others who voted for Saudi Arabia to be a defender of women’s rights and equality, Islamic supremacists have scored another win, and the ever-increasing insanity continues to outshine reason and common sense.
“Belgium ‘regrets’ helping elect Saudi Arabia to UN women’s rights panel,” RT, April 27, 2017:
Belgium’s vote in favor of appointing Saudi Arabia to a United Nations women’s rights commission was due to a regrettable diplomatic mix-up, said Prime Minister Charles Michel, after the decision sparked a firestorm of criticism at home.
“If we could do it again and if we would have the chance to discuss it at government level, I of course would have argued that we not approve this,” Michel told parliament on Thursday.
“I regret the vote,” he added.
Saudi Arabia was expected to have its accession to the 45-member commission rubber stamped as the number of nominees matched the exact number of available seats.
But when the US called for a sudden vote, Michel explained that Belgium’s UN representative did not have sufficient time to consult with Brussels, and pushed through Riyadh’s bid.
While Saudi Arabia managed to easily gain a place with 47 votes out of 54, the election of a state that does not even allow women to drive, treats their evidence as less valuable in court, and forces them to obtain a permission from a male guardian to travel or undergo a medical procedure, caused a resonance.
“There is a regret but there is a missed opportunity to make a strong gesture for the right of women today trampled on by an act that has dishonored our country,” said Gwenaelle Grovonius of the opposition Socialist Party, who also demanded that foreign minister Didier Reynders, who had said he was unaware of the vote at the time, resign for the imbroglio.
“Belgium is generally active in defending women’s rights and expresses its views on this issue, so I was surprised to learn that it had supported a country with no regard for women and which continually flouts their rights. At first I thought it was not possible,” said Viviane Teitelbaum of the Council of Francophone women, an activist group.
“Human rights activists everywhere ought to accept this rare apology,” said Hillel Neuer, executive director of the non-profit UN Watch, “provided that it is matched with a real commitment to ending the UN’s routine elevation of gross human rights abusers to influential human rights bodies, which only empowers the regimes, not the victims.”
UN Watch, whose coverage drew attention to what may otherwise have been a quiet backroom vote, called on other democratic states that voted for Saudi Arabia in what was a secret ballot, to reveal their decision, and follow Belgium’s example……
Baucent says
“If we could do it again and if we would have the chance to discuss it at government level, I of course would have argued that we not approve this,” Michel told parliament on Thursday.”
Nonsense. I’ll tell you what this is really about; currying favour with the Saudis for the Belgium Arms industry, companies such as FN who want a slice of that huge market.
Dan King says
So they thought they were voting the the OTHER saudi arabia, The one with democratic free elections, free travel of women wearing whatever they want to wear, respect and equal treatment of all women and non-royal family members, free religious expression?
Carolyne says
Our government is so contaminated with Saudi money that even Donald Trump can’t fix it. I would like an explanation from Ambassador Haley as to the reason for suddenly calling for a vote on this and I would like to know how the US voted. Surely we have not just gone further down the rabbit hole.
The UN needs to be evicted from the US and the money we pay them, which btw is more than any other country, should be withdrawn. The valuable real estate which they got gratis and tax free should be redeveloped into tax paying entities.
The UN is an anti-American organization overwhelmingly controlled by Muslims and we should have no part of it.
Avenger says
Carolyne.
You’re right on target about Saudi money involvement in this UN vote.
Its only been a few months and you can already see the dramatic shift in the Trump administrations attitude and policies toward Saudi Arabia –
Attacks on Syria, military build up on Russia’s border with East Europe, doing nothing while Turkey kills our Kurdish allies, helping the Saudi backed government exterminate the Shiite rebels in Yemen, allowing Saudi Wahabists gain influence in Indonesia and roundly backing anything the Sauds want at the UN.
John McCain and Lindsey Graham will soon be dining with Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in Syria again. Just like old times…
Jeanette says
Why would anyone have to “consult with Belgium” to know whether to allow Saudi Arabia and its Clit-Slitting Cult to be involved in any way in women’s rights?
Ian says
Lol, Everyone on here moaning about Belgium but what about all the other countries that voted for Saudi ?
At least Belgium has the balls to say “sorry we f**ked up”, absolute zilch from everyone else.
Karen says
Actually……you have a very good point!