NOTE TO STUDENTS:  This article is very long, and might not seem that interesting to you.  But don't get discouraged - you will start voting soon and it is important for you to understand various national/global issues so that you can be an informed voter.  The issues in the U.N. are very important to every American citizen, as the U.S. dues to the U.N. are approximately 22% of the entire general budget (in 2005 the U.S. dues were approximately $440 million, and total U.S. contributions to the UN in 2005 were: $1,959,053,000).  That money comes from your taxes.   191 countries are members of the U.N. and the U.S. pays almost 1/4 of the dues.

1.  For what reasons was the UNCHR discredited in recent years?

2.  Why did the U.S. oppose the establishment of the new HRC?

3.  What is Freedom House?  How did Freedom House rate Iran on its human rights record?

4.  What did the U.S. State Department report say about Iran's human rights record?  List the specific types of human rights abuses committed by Iran that were documented by the State Department.

5.  The United Nations' UNCHR and HRC were both established with the purpose of upholding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights found on the U.N.'s website here.  Scroll down and read the first few articles of the declaration.
Do you think that Iran abides by all of the articles of the Declaration on Human Rights?

6.  Why might 54 countries vote against condemning Iran's human rights violations?

7.  For what other reasons is Iran's government controversial?

8.  Why might countries that commit human rights abuses want to be on the Human Rights Council (HRC)?

Questions 1-8 are taken from the first 11 paragraphs of the article.  If time permits, answer the following:

9.  Sen. Bill Frist recommends that the U.S. not participate in the HRC.  What alternate plan does he suggest?  How does Dr. Feulner suggest funding Sen. Frist's plan?  What do you think of their ideas?  Explain your answer.

10.  Re-read para. #28.  What recommendation will be made to U.N. member states when voting for HRC members?  Will this be an effective way to ensure that countries that violate human rights will not become members of the HRC?  Explain your answer.