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For Immediate Release: March 3, 2009 Contact:  Anne Bayefsky info@EYEontheUN.org Video Alert 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

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