Bill Overview
Title: United Nations Human Rights Council Reform Act
Description: This bill prohibits the United States from making any contributions to the U.N. Commissions of Inquiries that relate to Israel as mandated by the U.N. Human Rights Council. The bill also requires U.S. representatives to the United Nations to advocate and vote for certain changes to the council, such as the institution of baseline criteria for membership.
Sponsors: Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]
Target Audience
Population: People affected by UN Human Rights Council activities
Estimated Size: 331449281
- The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) impacts member states, NGOs, and individuals involved in human rights advocacy globally.
- Changes to UNHRC operations, such as funding and membership reform, affect all individuals whose human rights are addressed by the Council.
- Israel is directly affected due to the specific focus on UNHRC inquiries relating to Israel.
- Global human rights practices could be impacted if council reforms lead to changes in the accountability of countries with poor human rights records.
Reasoning
- The target population for this policy consists of U.S. citizens who are politically or personally invested in the outcomes of U.N. Human Rights Council activities, particularly those relating to Israel.
- Given budget constraints and the specific focus on Israel, individuals with connections to Israel or who are engaged in human rights advocacy are more likely to be impacted.
- The policy may also affect the overall perception of the U.S.'s role in international human rights, influencing wider public opinion and potentially altering voting behavior among citizens.
- To reflect these different groups, the interviews are simulated across different demographics, including Jewish Americans, human rights advocates, and general citizens with varying degrees of engagement with international issues.
Simulated Interviews
Retired diplomat (New York, NY)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe the U.S. should have a strong stance in international councils.
- The UNHRC needs reform, especially in processes concerning Israel.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Human rights lawyer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could significantly undercut our influence in vital human rights areas.
- More effective reform can be achieved by engaging rather than withdrawing support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Software engineer (Salt Lake City, UT)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not deeply involved, but U.S. budget allocations do reflect our priorities.
- It's mixed – saving money versus impacting international standing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Public school teacher (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is crucial to protect Israel from biased inquiries.
- Focus should be on more equitable reform.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
University professor (Miami, FL)
Age: 57 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The UN has its flaws, but partnership is vital for educational and diplomatic purposes.
- Policy shifts are necessary but should be balanced with international cooperation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Non-profit director (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Withdrawal of funds could exacerbate crises where UN operations are vital.
- Worry about impact on other humanitarian actions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
College student (Austin, TX)
Age: 18 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's important for the U.S. to take vocal stands on global issues.
- This might be a distraction from addressing larger systemic reforms.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Small business owner (Denver, CO)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Not something I focus on, but I expect wise decisions from our representatives.
- Balancing budget and international influence is tricky.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Policy analyst (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The bill is a step towards ensuring funds are used effectively.
- Long-term, reform could guide U.S. influence positively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Graduate student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill aligns with my research on restructuring councils to be more representative.
- However, I question whether cutting funds is the best method.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $25000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $35000000)
Year 2: $25000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $35000000)
Year 3: $25000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $35000000)
Year 5: $25000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $35000000)
Year 10: $25000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $35000000)
Year 100: $25000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $35000000)
Key Considerations
- Diplomatic relations with UNHRC members and allies involved in the human rights advocacy agenda.
- Domestic opinion on U.S. involvement in international human rights efforts.
- The potential long-term impact on human rights accountability globally if reform efforts are successful.