Funny example of the UN's anti-American politicization.

[Bob]

From the article - A UN investigator on torture says US officials have blocked his requests for unmonitored visits to alleged Wikileaks whistleblower Bradley Manning.

So these are the types of priorities at the UN, apparently. As if the true motivations for this push aren't obvious - to make baseless attacks against the USA to the gleeful applause of third-world dictators and Arab/Muslim countries.

This is funny - Supporters of Pte Manning say he has been held under harsh conditions, confined to a spartan cell for for 23 hours a day without personal possessions, and forced regularly to undress.

If he really wants "unmonitored" abilities to investigate the allegations of a particular anti-American group (Bradley's fans who support the theft and public release of confidential documents to compromise national security) information, why not just meet with his lawyer(s)?

The BBC article.

Edited April 13, 2011 by Bob

[Guest American Woman]

I find it odd that the UN would make this a top priority, considering all the prisoner abuse and torture going on in the world. Even if the allegations, which are being denied, are true, they amount to being held in solitary confinement and being forced to sleep naked. Surely there are more pressing matters.

At least the UN official did say (emphasis mine): "I am acting on a complaint that the regimen of this detainee amounts to cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or torture … until I have all the evidence in front of me, I cannot say whether he has been treated inhumanely."

I can understand why the government wouldn't allow the UN to see Manning without anyone else present, though. The UN isn't serving as his representative or legal counsel and therefore isn't privy to such a meeting, especially before he's been brought to trial. I'm sure the government wants to guard what is being said without benefit of cross examination since I'm sure it will make it's way to the media, and I can't imagine the government of any nation feeling/acting any differently.

[Bob]

American Woman, you know you are being entirely too charitable to an organization you know is largely politicized against American interests, given the volume of countries represented at the UN who are opposed to American interests.

You know as well as I do that there are countless legitimate problems in many countries regarding torture and illegal detentions. The fact that the UN has assigned an "investigator" to an American citizen in American custody, who just happens to be at the epicentre of the recent Wikileaks controversies, tells us everything we need to know about the true intention of this "investigation". Nevermind that the accusations of what he's been subjected to do not qualify as torture, and nevermind that he has access to confidential conference with his lawyer.

Come on, call it for what it is, it's the UN again making a mockery of one of its role as a result of politicization.