ABSTRACT
Instead of measures to protect victims, however, the United States persuaded the Commission to promote human rights ideals. The American sponsored "Action Plan" of education and persuasion included advisory services, global studies, and annual country reports. This chapter describes the transitional decade of uncontroversial, Western initiatives which preceded the Commission's expansion to 32 members and capture by Third World activists in 1967. Initially the United States proposed three advisory services: seminars, expert assistance, and fellowships and scholarships. Group seminars would help educate a global constituency about the rights affirmed in the Universal Declaration. In opposing the United States proposals in 1955, the Soviet representative objected to any initiative that would be an alternative to the covenants. Eastern bloc representatives also stressed the importance of promoting economic and social rights; but the United States warned that the Commission should not duplicate the economic programs of specialized agencies such as the International Labour Organization, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and World Health Organization.
