BeIR/webis-touche2020 huggingface dataset:
UNHRC kept the weaknesses of the Commission

The example given of the former UN HR committee, actually strongly supports the opposition case, since the mere fact that a similar body was erected right when the committee was abolished, inherently testifies to how essential such a body is. Therefore the last thing we would like to see is abolishing it. Even if there would have been a need for more reforms in its structure, the UNHRC is still indispensable in itself. The UNHRC is a relatively young body that needs more time to mature, perhaps still dealing with leftover effects from its previous incarnation. Only recently the US decided to join, which provides extra balance and power, and marks a turning point for the council’s shaping as a global HR force, as can be seen in actual positive results.[[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/03/159343.htm]] Moreover, several mechanisms were installed, which differentiate the UNHRC from the previous committee: 1. Members are elected by the General Assembly, and can also be revoked by it. For example Lybia was expelled.[[http://is.gd/HbfBR2]] The GA’s involvement also means that the council cannot protect its own members from expulsion, so that unlike the commission, the council won’t accept and can’t protect offending members for too long. 2. As we elaborate in out points, the regions and rotation systems of the UNHRC are major contributors to promoting global HR awareness and minimizing bloc voting. 3. Review mechanism: A seat in UNHRC places greater pressure on each member state to adhere to HR standards, knowing they are regularly monitored by the Universal Periodic Review Mechanism and required to fully cooperate with the review process.[[http://is.gd/3EmouM]] This also means that spotlights are being drawn specifically to their HR issues, which in itself promotes more awareness or cautiousness on the part of that member state.
The council’s goals and how it successfully achieves them

To claim a list of passed resolutions is proof on its own for the success of UNHRC is illogical. “Analyzing 30 key UNHRC resolutions of the last year, this report finds that a majority of 18 were actually counterproductive to human rights. Resolutions that praised Sri Lanka after it killed an estimated 20,000 civilians; praised Sudan for its “progress”” etc.[[http://bit.ly/aEAnhX]] [[http://bit.ly/pxUD8y]] Some of the main principles and objectives of UNHRC. - Make improvement on the human rights situation on the ground. - Ensure universal coverage and equal treatment of all states. - Not be overly burdensome to the concerned state or to the HRC agenda. - Not be overly long, it should be realistic and not absorb disproportionate amount of time, human and financial resources. To see how well HR are being protected we need to examine the situation on the ground. We have proven with overwhelming evidence in the cases of Cuba, Saudi Arabia, Darfur, Libya, Russia, China etc. that the council ignores violations, gives wrong and biased assessment of the situation and enables terrible HR violators the chance to protect themselves, ergo Improvement on ground has not been achieved. A short clarification on Libya . The UNHRC draft report praised Libiya as a capable protector of human in spite the fact they have been violating HR for decades. They reacted only after Gaddafi forced their hand, attacking the protestors. The segment of the article we linked is not flagged, and its sources are legitimate (Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, the Guardian, The Economist etc). On the remaining 3 principles we refer to the situation in Israel. The council spends disproportionate amount of time and resources on Israel compared to the other countries, it is burdensome to the country and has been reported to have a bias against Israel. [[http://bit.ly/mSLUFi]] In conclusion, it is clear that UNHRC is not fulfilling its own principles and objectives as Opp claime
The UNHRC is a "leading sponsor of impunity for gross abuses worldwide"

It seems that Prop aren’t too clear on their suggestion - they are confusing reforms with abolition. During their counterarguments, they suggested that after abolishing the HRC, another body would rise instead. This was in no way mentioned in their constructive material, and they haven’t proved that after two failed attempts, the third incarnation will achieve their goals - what changes can be done in order that the third body won’t squander its resources, and why these changes can’t be done on the HRC? Even if the HRC isn’t perfect and may need reform, this is no reason to abolish it. Changes can be made without starting a new body. Now Prop needs to prove that the only way to reach the HRC’s goals is through another body. Just saying that there is an “objective criteria” doesn’t prove that it exists or that the next body will pursue it. Even the ICTY, pursuing objective laws, failed to condemn the west for blatant crimes such as bombing civilians in Kosovo[[http://is.gd/YHJCYE]]. More than that, it seems that Prop’s suggesting that the HRC’s inaction in some cases is interfering in other bodies’ actions (once again, asserted but not proven). For this we answer simply: when the HRC acts, it acts justly - Prop haven’t shown us a single instance of unjust action. Therefore, when it acts, it does good. When the HRC chooses not to act initially, on these cases the GA won’t act too (for ex. Darfur). Other bodies still do act - NGOs, for example. Their actions are neither reliant nor connected to the HRC, even if they’re unable to create specific actions like those of the HRC. So, even in places where the HRC chooses not to act, the situation won’t improve with its abolition - there’s no body that wants to act and is blocked by the HRC. Furthermore, Prop hasn’t shown us how can they be sure that the next body will act where the HRC won’t, and in our constructive material we show that any UN body will be as political as the HRC.
Macedonia Summation

In this debate the Opp team took the burden: “if we can show you even a marginal benefit arising from the UNHRCs existence, then it is enough to want to keep the UNHRC.”This burden was engulfed by ours- showing how the time and resources UN has to invest in HR are squandered on UNHRC, and better spent a successor working on objective criteria when determining HR violations. Even if we debate on the OPP burden we proved with overwhelming evidence that the council causes much greater harm by ignoring violations, giving wrong and biased assessment of the situation, enabling terrible HR violators the chance to protect themselves, compared to the benefit from the few stray resolutions it manages to get right. The examples of Cuba, Saudi Arabia, Darfur, Libya, Russia and China confirm this point. This point alone is enough to abolish the UNHRC We showed that one of the main reasons for the dysfunctionality of the UNHRC is the politization and the bloc voting, preventing the body from reacting to OBVIOUS HR violations. Currently, the bodies meant to solve this problem are incapable of the task. The 3 years rotation especially when limited by the regional system (prioritizing location over HR protection) keeps yielding HR violators as members, and even if it somehow magicaly worked,3 years is simply too long to wait for proper membership. The UPR on the other hand is far from a proper investigation and depends on the good will of the members UNHRC SHOULD be abolished because one of the main problems, the politicized decision making process when determining the existence of HR violations is a key component of the current Council. Team Opp acknowledged this problem and suggested: “ criteria can be set by the same body that erected the UNHRC and elects its members - the General Assembly”. However, because it is a key component that affects all others, it can only be changed with abolition as team Opp agreed in their 5th argument contradicting their first claim. Opposition also failed to prove UNHRC equally spreads western and eastern HR ideals. This point was proven wrong by the LGBT resolution they offered themselves, a resolution imposing ultra western values on the member states contradicting their core values and sharia law In conclusion we have the negative case offering a UNHRC that turned a blind eye to genocide and massive HR abuse while obsessing with Israel and committing 70% of its resolutions to it. By doing this the council did harm to the HR situation in the world, broke its own goals and objectives (as proven in our last refutation) and has no benefits to show for the wasted time and resources Abolishing UNHRC will result in the creation of a successor deciding on set criteria.This resolves the politizacion problem and its symptoms. The UNHRC will HAVE to acknowledge HR violations if they fit the criteria, resulting in proper protection of HR optimal usage of UN resources and keeping the benefits of international cooperation
Essential contribution to the global protection of human rights

While some may claim the UNHRC is not an ideally-structured body, it still functions efficiently enough to achieve many of its goals. This is immediately apparent when observing just a few examples of some of the important and diverse issues the UNHRC has dealt with: a. Guinea - in addition to condemnations on HR violations, the HRC also initiated requests for assistance from the international community for the transition to democracy, which produced “concrete results on the ground” [[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/03/159343.htm]] b. LGBT Human Rights - UNHRC initiated a historical joint statement signed by 85 states supporting equal human rights regardless of sexual orientation, addressing in the UN for the first time, the years of worldwide violence and discrimination against the group. [[http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-17/world/un.lgbt.rights_1_gay-rights-human-rights-gay-pride-event?_s=PM:WORLD]] c. Israel - Following condemnations by the UNHRC, the Israeli Chief of Staff ordered to attach humanitarian liaison officers to active forces, as well as to modify the way soldiers fight in urban areas such as Gaza, to assure a tight adherence to HR standards in the future.[[http://www.faqs.org/periodicals/201104/2337368071.html]] These important examples of recent UNHRC interventions represent the kind of essential and unique contribution of the UNHRC. Calling to abolish it means putting an end to all these crucial efforts. The only claim left to prop is that “The UNHRC doesn’t focus on ALL of the countries that face HR violation”. The response to this is twofold: Just because we cannot do everything all of the time doesn’t mean we should not ever try to do good. Also, while something is clearly better than nothing in the case of HR, the UNHRC does more than that, as we’ve shown - it does a very important job in critical cases, that more than justifies it’s existence.
Politicized decision-making process thwarts acknowledgement of human rights

UN Watch In 2009, the UNHRC passed a resolution praising Sri Lanka, took no action on Iran and passed 18 resolutions counterproductive to human rights The UNHRC fails to achieve its main goal - fostering and promoting human rights, due to its politicized decision-making. Despite the fact that the UNHRC resolution stated that “members elected to the Council shall uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights”, this body serves mostly as a tool used to cover up HR violations, thanks to the principle of bloc voting. Some countries are not willing to have their HR violation stories exposed, therefore they cooperate with other countries which have these intentions as well, in order to create saliency of new public issues, thereby leaving serious violations unresolved. The phenomenon of bloc voting is confirmed by General Ban Ki-moon, U.N. Secretary, who criticized them for not dropping rhetoric and bloc voting, instead of defending the citizens from getting abused. [[http://reut.rs/hKltAd]] Numerous NGO’s and human rights organizations claim that the council is under control of a bloc of Islamic and African states, usually backed by China, Cuba and Russia (due to overwhelming majority), to achieve mutual protection from criticism.[[http://bit.ly/cKtJmr]] This results in cover ups of the violations in the countries, which never get to the specific procedures within the UNHRC. The citizens voices cannot be heard because of the governments protecting their reputation, and serious violations are neglected. The UNHRC cannot respond to individual complaints, conduct studies, provide advice, and engage in promotional activities if they do not pass the vote acknowledging HR violations in first place. The impact of the voting-based decision-making, and absence of an objectively determined criteria when defining HR violation, is that the members are able to block HR violation, to achieve their interests.
The political system of the UNHRC promotes Human Rights

UNHRC has a unique political system which in itself promotes HR. It separates the world into 5 different areas, and rotates the countries in each area, so that each country receives a 3-year representation period. Therefore, even if there’s a state of bloc voting, it would be only temporary since the rotation enables a blocked issue to re-surface later when other countries are joining the council. Moreover, countries will be less inclined to cooperate in bloc voting if they know that the other party, whom they are asked to protect, will soon rotate and not be able to reciprocate. Rotation means countries understand they can’t rely on theirs or allies' seat for protection, but mainly on reducing their abuse of HR. Basically, the rotating system encourages a race to the bottom: every country wants to be the least plausible and obvious target to the UNHRC censoring amongst non-member states, and so are pushed to reduce their HR abuse. Even if they do it just to avoid censoring or be a less obvious target, then the rotation system has already achieved its goals of reducing HR abuse. Moreover, we believe rotating seats allows more countries to be involved in condemning and guarding against HR abuse, as more countries are exposed to the subject over time. Countries which violate HR will not be elected to the council, a condemnation in itself, Belarus is a recent example[[http://is.gd/RQXr3Q]]. Once a country is on Council, it focuses its own attention on HR, and gains a greater understanding of the global harms of HR abuse - which leads to greater internal care of HR. While perhaps not ideal in its current form, we need to remember that UNHRC is a fairly young body that still shapes itself, after having been equipped with the right tools for the task.[[http://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/genf/04769.pdf]] We believe the final political form of the council will be perpetually changing and self-balancing body, that will better fit the dynamic political climate.
UNHRC kept the weaknesses of the Commission

The Human rights council has come under mounting criticism that it failed to secure human rights for the same reasons that the HR Committee did. The main reason why this body was considered ineffective was the limited ability to investigate human rights abuses around the world and because many of its members were considered to be in violation of human rights. Some of the members of the old commission were human rights abusers like China, Cuba and Saudi Arabia.[1] Yet we face a situation where current members in the UNHRC include China ,Russia, Pakistan and Cuba, states that are facing serious violation of human rights at the moment.[2][3] This creates a situation where countries with HR violations who win seats in the council can protect each other from inquiries. This political nature of the committee was another reason why members put their preference for multilateral consensus ahead of their duty. As previously mention the UNHRC makes no changes in solving this problem due to the existing bloc voting[4]that enables the council to solve human rights abuses. The committee was also criticized for it’s unwillingness to address real human rights concerns but rather focused only on Israel . The same mistake is being repeated by the council where 15% of the committee’s resolutions are focused on the Palestinian – Israel [5]problem and other problems are not being taken in consideration. [6] Additionally, the newly implemented Advisory committee and complains procedure fail to deliver. The advisory committee [7] only makes recommendation on solving human rights abuses which are not being taken in consideration by the UNHRC because of the previously mentioned bloc voting. The complains procedure faces the same problem. Even if certain individuals have the right to report human rights abuses that doesn’t exclude the fact that the members still have the final word whether certain actions should be made in order to protect these individuals. *Links in our 4th
The council’s goals and how it successfully achieves them

In a perfect and fictional dream world, we could create a council which would put an end to all worldwide problems, bring world peace and end all famine. We at team Opposition suggest looking at the reality of the complex world we live in and the even more diverse surroundings that the UNHRC exists. We will clarify the exact aims and goals of the Council, then show they are certainly being fulfilled successfully. Not only that, but these goals are essential to the HR problem solving process. The Human Rights Council was established to “strengthen the promotion and protection of Human Rights”. To accomplish this, the council is expected to investigate HR situations and provide appropriate recommendations. [[http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/]] Suffice it to have a quick glance at the latest summary of resolutions, decisions and statements issued by the council, to clearly see the evidence of how the council’s important objectives are being constantly met. [[http://is.gd/6vyphx]] These include decision to mandate fact finding missions, investigations into breaches of HR, interactive dialogues, along with declarations and discussions that raise global attention to a wide range of HR issues such as: trafficking in persons, violence against women, human rights of migrants and children, among other important areas covered recently [[http://is.gd/AISmUb]]. Bringing these items to the consciousness and agenda of the world and the consequent discussions with the relevant parties are all an immense part of the process towards resolving these issues. Prop’s suggestion we put an end to all these highly important contributions, makes no sense. What Prop seems to expect of the UNHRC is simply not within its charter, and so there’s no wonder that Prop’s expectations weren’t answered. In reality, the UNHRC is living up to its charter and acting on its designated goals by its designated tools, and so we see no reason to abolish it.
The UNHRC is a "leading sponsor of impunity for gross abuses worldwide"

Opp is avoiding tackling our burden, claiming that if they prove a “marginal benefit” from UNHRC in few regions, they would prove it to be effective and beneficial. In fact it is squandering its invaluable position and resources. When the truth and facts are being substituted with the “will of the majority”, it leads to ignorance of cases of HR abuse, and does major harm to the countries and the rights of the people. The council is guilty of CHOSING not to solve problems, not the lack of resources as the Opp. team claimed. The “objective decision approach” would remove this possibility while keeping all benefits team Opp is trying to prove. Speaking of benefits, the “political support” Opp mentioned is not unconditionally tied to the politicized decision-making process. A HR body can contain government representatives that debate on the possible solutions, but they cannot vote on whether there is HR violation, since this decision will always be subjective. More than half of the members, 24 out of 47, do not protect the basic human rights of their citizens[[http://bit.ly/m0BbPL]], which completely disproves the Opp presumption that the rotation system would help prevent the vote bloc. Whether it is China or Saudi Arabia, the situation remains the same and these countries will continue blocking resolutions when it suits them. This body ignored 18 of the worst violators in 2010, as a result of the politicization [[http://bit.ly/cKtJmr]], which confounds the claim that we didn't prove how HRC "exacerbates the situation", since each blocked resolution does that, proving their own burden wrong. At the end of the day, while refuting, prop agreed that objective decision-making is needed, but avoided to confess that it would mean abolition of HRC, but: 1. It is abolition, since the voting-based system is a "root" principle of this body, that would change everything in it; 2. They agree that this root principle is wrong, and needs a change - abolition.
The Council’s unique place in the UN and global Human Rights efforts

The opposition opened their negative constructive case, with an argument that consists of no constructive material at all and does not lead to achieving their burden of proof. Opp claims that the raison d'être for UNHRC is the fact that there is no other body available at the moment, without providing providing real benefits from the council. In fact, it was never the duty of the Proposition to find or design another superior body, rather to prove that since the "root" characteristics of the existing Council result in covering up of HR violations and neglect of serious violations in many critical regions of the world, UNHRC should be abolished. The opposition failed to take into consideration that the UNHRC is the successor to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR), a body which was abolished due to the high level of criticism that it allowed countries with no respect for human rights to be members. Deductively we conclude the following: It is more than logical that should this council be abolished, the UN will not leave its job to either of the two institutions for which prop dedicated a whole argument, but rather create a new body which would succeed the old one. If the UN's decision to abolish is based on the Aff arguments, that body will not have the "root" characteristics of the council nor its weaknesses. Moreover, as we clearly stated in our 1st argument, we believe that lacks of objective-based decision making, causes immense harms (as the bloc voting and disproportionate focus). Therefore we consider this principle essential for an intergovernmental HR body, proving we still have a cause and a goal. Finally, by stating that this measure can be applied to UNHRC as an additional criteria (objective DM),Opp confirmed that the current system is harmful, but refused to confess that it would mean abolition. Just as UNCHR was abolished due to strong criticism, it is more than obvious that changing a root principle is abolition as well