U.S. tells U.N. rights body to tackle all violations

GENEVA (Reuters) - The United States took part in the United Nations Human Rights Council on Wednesday for the first time, urging it to address all violations of rights around the world and to stop singling out Israel for criticism.

In the first U.S. address before a full session of the 3-year-old body, acting ambassador in Geneva Mark C. Storella also warned against "alarming attempts" by some countries on the 47-member body to undermine freedom of expression.

"We are concerned about this Council's failure thus far to address some of the most egregious human rights violations in the world today, and about isolated but alarming attempts by some to use Council resolutions to undermine universal human rights for all," he said.

The new Democratic administration of President Barack Obama set aside the policy of his predecessor George W. Bush of standing aloof from the Council and announced last month that it would take up a seat as an observer in the body.

Citing Obama's promise to re-engage with the world, Storella said the United States "pledges to work alongside all those working in good faith to promote and protect the human rights of every person in the world."

But he said the Council -- where a group of Islamic states backed by African countries, Cuba, China and Russia holds a built-in majority and works to protect its supporters from criticism -- must call governments to account.

"It must not be a refuge for governments seeking to deflect criticism or hide from their own record or undermine human rights protection," Storella said.

"We will ask that the Council remain squarely focussed on its mandate, that it not be distracted by politics and debates in other forums," he added.

The United States remains concerned about the politicisation of human rights "and about this Council's repeated singling out of one country," said Storella in a clear reference to Israel.