Overall we think its a significant advance and contains the elements necessary for a stronger council but the key will be achieving the two-thirds vote for election of council members. Without the two-thirds vote, the...

My biggest concern is that it would be a divisive factor in the negotiations.

Human rights victims around the world have been anxiously watching this summit, and their focus will now shift to the General Assembly.

The possibility that a small number of states with deeply troubling human rights records could block the creation of a more effective human rights body is not only ironic, it is disgraceful.

In the case of Sudan, the Sudanese government’s presence on the commission meant that African states and others watered down language that human rights groups around the world thought appropriate to address crimes against humanity.

Without the two-thirds vote, the risk is that the worst abusers will continue to be elected.

The new text substantially advances the discussion and gives a good basis to achieve a stronger human rights council, assuming there is a decision to have members of the council elected by a two-thirds majority.