Human rights and the UN

Apr 5th 2007, 21:09 by The Economist | WASHINGTON

SIR —

If the United Nations were actually serious about human rights, it would apply the principles to its own operations. The UN has endlessly preached against slave and forced labor. The vast laogai forced labor factories, farms, and other facilities in China pose an obvious source of such goods. However, the UN does not itself refuse to buy goods made by forced and slave labor. Moreover, UNICEF, which is supposed to advance the interests of children does not ban the purchase of goods made by child labor or forced child labor. Politicians, heal thyselves first!

Carl Olson

Chairman, State Department Watch

Woodland Hills, California

http://www.economist.com/blogs/theinbox/2007/04/human_rights_and_the_un