July 08, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in 12 different countries believe the United Nations (UN) should be allowed to enter any nation to investigate human rights violations, according to a poll by The Chicago Council on Global Affairs and worldpublicopinion.org. 92 per cent of respondents in France, and 75 per cent in Peru and the United States, support this idea.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in 12 different countries believe the United Nations (UN) should be allowed to enter any nation to investigate human rights violations, according to a poll by The Chicago Council on Global Affairs and worldpublicopinion.org. 92 per cent of respondents in France, and 75 per cent in Peru and the United States, support this idea.

South Korea is next on the list with 74 per cent, followed by Armenia with 67 per cent, Ukraine with 66 per cent, Russia and Israel with 64 per cent, and Poland with 58 per cent. A majority of respondents in China, India and Thailand agree with the proposal, but only 46 per cent of respondents in Argentina and the Philippines concur.

The UN was established in 1945 and includes virtually every internationally recognized independent state. The organization describes itself as a "global association of governments facilitating cooperation in international law, security, economic development, and social equity."

The UN Security Council is in charge of maintaining peace and security between nations, issuing specific resolutions that governments must adhere to under the terms of the UN Charter. The internal organ currently has five permanent members—Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States—as well as 10 non-permanent members who are chosen for two-year terms.

Earlier this year, the UN sent special envoy Philip Halston to conduct an investigation into allegations of human rights abuses committed in the Philippines since president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo took office in 2001. Philippine-based human rights groups claim that over 800 political dissidents have disappeared since Arroyo was sworn in, and have accused the military of being involved in a crackdown.

On Jun. 28, Sophie Richardson, deputy Asia director at the U.S.-based watchdog Human Rights Watch, commented on the Philippines' case, saying, "There is strong evidence of a 'dirty war' by the armed forces against left-leaning activists and journalists. (...) The failure to prosecute soldiers or police suspected in these killings shifts the spotlight of responsibility to the highest levels of government."

Polling Data

Would you favour or oppose giving the United Nations (UN) the authority to go into countries in order to investigate violations of human rights?

	Favour	Oppose
France	92%	8%
Peru	75%	23%
United States	75%	22%
South Korea	74%	25%
Armenia	67%	16%
Ukraine	66%	13%
Russia	64%	17%
Israel	64%	31%
Poland	58%	14%
China	57%	28%
India	54%	29%
Thailand	52%	26%
Argentina	46%	29%
Philippines	46%	46%

Source: The Chicago Council on Global Affairs / worldpublicopinion.org
Methodology: Interviews with 1,200 adults in 19 countries, conducted from June 2006 to May 2007. More details on accompanying report.

Complete Poll (PDF)

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