Commentary and Newsletters

Anne Bayefsky

MESS: Watch the ‘Reformed’ UN Human Rights Council in Action

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

The "Reformed" UN Human Rights Council
Its Central New Contribution to Protecting Human Rights
-- The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) --
Easy on Abusers -- Hard on Democracies

In the "new and improved" UN Human Rights Council, the worst human rights abusers are praised and admired. The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is said to be the major innovation offered by the Council over its predecessor, the UN Human Rights Commission.

In fact, the UPR has become a place where abusers are applauded and democracies are heavily criticized.

When the discussion of a country's human rights record is over, the country involved is asked for a "response" to any recommendations for improvement.

Watch EYEontheUN videos for the UN's treatment of China, Cuba, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, and their response to recommendations.

And compare it to the UN's treatment of Israel and Canada.

Group 1: The UN's Idea of the Friends of Human Rights



Watch video here.
China and the UN Human Rights Council

February 9, 2009: The "Universal Periodic Review" of China


Watch video here.
Cuba and the UN Human Rights Council

February 5, 2009: The "Universal Periodic Review" of Cuba


Watch video here.
Saudi Arabia and the UN Human Rights Council

February 6, 2009: The "Universal Periodic Review" of Saudi Arabia


Watch video here.
United Arab Emirates and the UN Human Rights Council

December 4, 2008: The "Universal Periodic Review" of the UAE


Watch video here.
Turkmenistan and the UN Human Rights Council

December 9, 2008: The "Universal Periodic Review" of Turkmenistan


Watch video here.
Uzbekistan and the UN Human Rights Council

December 11, 2008: The "Universal Periodic Review" of Uzbekistan

Group 2: The UN's Idea of Human Rights Foes



Watch video here.
Israel and the UN Human Rights Council

December 4, 2008: The "Universal Periodic Review" of Israel


Watch video here.
Canada and the UN Human Rights Council

February 3, 2009: The "Universal Periodic Review" of Canada