31 out of 53 nations felt able to criticise one of the most obviously evil regimes that's ever been. That's a majority. So who says the UN's not relevant?

As a supporter of the ideals of the UN, there are days when I despair. This is one of them.

BTW Anyone know what the diiference is between "abstained" and "refused to vote"?

Libya, Cuba, Zimbabwe, China... I can understand how habitual criminals may not favour guilty verdicts when serving on a jury. South Africa is a disappointment. Malaysia's just plain odd.

Oh, and I see that on the same day, the UN HRC voted 31 to 15 against condemning Cuba's recent Kangaroo Courts that "cracked down on dissidents".
From Cubanet

Earlier this month, Cuban tribunals sentenced 75 dissidents to prison terms ranging from 6 to 28 years on charges they were mercenaries working with the American government to harm the island's socialist system.

Alan, Islamic Malaysia has decided to revoke a ban on the Bible in the local Iban language. Swell guys. Nothing odd here.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2003/4/26/nation/jbiban&sec=nation

South Africa takes another small but distinct step toward being everywhere recognized as one of the world's crapholes. When the last investor leaves amid all hell breaking loose, who will come to help - China? Will that be Kofi on the line saying he's on his way?

But this is the organization that eedjuts want to control the political restructuring of Iraq. After all, the UN has experience! Bosnia, Kosovo, Palestine, Lebanon, Zimbabwe...

Another example of UN irrelevance.

But it is very sad the way South Africa is going. They have blocked effective Commonwealth action against Mugabe, and defend his regime elsewhere.

With much of sub-Saharan Africa down the tubes, it would be a pity to see the South African economy slip further. All that potential, being misgoverned.

How helpful of them to condemn Saddam after he's dead. In many ways, this is even worse for the UN than if they had done nothing. Way to put an exclamation point on your irrelevance, gang.

I think mentioning UN and Human Rights in the same breath is deplorable and downright sinful. Who cares how China and the rest of the violators did or did not vote? Their collective conscience wouldn't fill a thimble. I take heart in the fact that we (the Coalition of the Willing) could see the way clear to giving drink to the thirsty, food to the hungry, clothing to the naked and freedom to the oppressed - instead of lip service to downtrodden - which is all that those asshats can do.

Alan,

Can't say for a certainty, but abstain means you choose not to vote yea or nay. Refusing to vote says you don't accept the legitimacy of the body to vote on the question being put.

Hey, I don't accept the legitimacy of the body to vote on ANY question more complex than who should cater the next meeting.