But despite the gains at this year's session, some observers pointed to the continuing politicization of the 53-member human rights commission. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson raised concerns early on, telling the commission there was a large gap between words and actions in the field of human rights. She then announced she would not seek a new term in office this autumn, citing the constraints imposed on her activities by the multilateral agency. Robinson was later persuaded to seek a one-year extension. Rights activists were especially critical of the countries joining the commission this year.
People pay attention to the commission's deliberations.
Goldfarb and other observers cite China as a case in point. They accuse China of major rights abuses, including a harsh crackdown on religion, especially members of the Falun Gong movement. The United States had proposed a resolution in Geneva, noting China's progress in improving the lives of its people but also pointing out areas of concern in political, religious, and civil rights. But as in previous years, China managed to convince the developing nations serving on the commission to remove the U.S. resolution from the UN commission's agenda. China has successfully applied such lobbying tactics in all but one year during the past decade.