Great article Vic, thanks very much. Couldn't agree more. The organisation that goes under the name of the United Nations Human Rights Council is pure travesty. The preoccupation with Israel shows the council's real agenda. Your story is a story I have read many times before, but as long as things don't change and people believe in a preposterous institution like this council, the story can't be repeated enough.

Sadly the problem is not confined to human rights bodies at the UN. To judge from the reports put out on everything from immigration and agriculture through to energy and climate, the various sub-bodies of the UN have evolved into organisations dedicated to pushing social agendas. Their job is not to report on the problems but to propagandise about how bad they are. There are some who do excellent work - sections of the World Health Organsiation, for example, may be of some use, but only sections. If anyone can think of exceptions then please post..

I think the UN is a useful organisation since it includes almost all nations and has done some good with its peacekeeping forces, Unesco and other activities.

However, the UN is a failure in human rights. The inordinate emphasis on Israel is clearly unreasonable, and, I believe, largely motivated by Jew hatred. Many nations which have subscribed to the UN convention of human rights have no interest in furthering those rights.

If those nations which have a commitment to human rights are genuinely interested in furthering those rights wherever they are violated and regardless of the identity of the violaters and violated they could form a new organisation devoted solely to the promotion of human rights. Only nations which have demonstrated such a commitment should be allowed membership.

Of the much ignorant commentary that has been written about UN human rights debates, this piece wins the prize for the most monumental ignorance. The author wrongly condemns supposed membership on the UN Human Rights Council by Iran, Sudan, Zimbabwe, China and North Korea. Iran twice ran for Council membership and was DEFEATED in 2006, and forced to withdraw in 2010. Sudan, Zimbabwe and North Korea have NEVER been members of the Council. China alas is a member, but as one of the world's great powers must be reckoned with. The misinformed author goes on to say Libya was Council Chair, again FALSE. Libya was NEVER Chair, and while briefly a member, was suspended form the Council by unanimous vote of the UN General Assembly after suppressing peaceful protesters in 2011.

It's all downhill from there. Darfur, Syria, Iran and other situations have indeed been condemned by the Council. China, Zimbabwe and indeed all other states are subject to sharp criticism in the Council's universal periodic review process.

The author is apparently a passionate supporter of Israel who would seek to delegitimize the Council to shield Israel from any scrutiny. Certainly the current inquiry into the illegal Israeli settlements on lands occupied since 1967 is a legitimate human rights process. The Council may have criticized Israel disproportionately in the past, but this inquiry is reasonable, and throwing around grotesque falsehoods as this author does is no way to protect Israel.

rightswatcher:

...First post, and I wonder, will we hear from you again under this disguise?

It's a pity those world trade centre bombers weren't a bit worse with their navigation.

If they had flown into the UN building, instead of the Trade centre buildings, they would have done the world a favour.