UN is not a “rubber stamp” for US, says human rights expert

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GENEVA - The head of a UN human rights body on Friday slammed Washington over its claim that a string of international rules do not apply to the “war on terror” detention centre in Guantanamo Bay or military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Christine Chanet, the chair of the UN Human Rights Committee, criticised the United States over its attitude during hearings where Washington’s delegation reaffirmed its longstanding position.

The committee, which oversees the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, is not a ”rubber stamp” for any government, Chanet told journalists.

Like all 156 nations which are party to the covenant, the United States is bound to produce regular reports for the committee and submit to hearings before its 18 independent experts every few years.