Non partisan and unbiased, objective and independent, dedicated only to promoting human rights around the world; that's the image the human rights organizations seek to maintain.  But sadly, reality is at odds with the image——many of these organizations have deteriorated to become highly political with specific agendas to push. 
 
Favored countries which meet these agendas are treated gently as their often flagrant human rights abuses are ignored or minimized.  And naturally countries with different purposes are highlighted and harshly scolded, minor iproblems blown up disproportionately and widely publicized.
 
This pattern is especially true in the Israeli—Arab conflict. Israel has been the victim of many of these organizations; often smeared as a consistently human rights abuser while its enemies are excused.  Without defensiveness, without apologetics, Gerald Steinberg exposes the watchers for what they are: partisan and political, encased in an ideology where human rights is not a priority.

Ethel C. Fenig    12 30 04