HERE’S MORE on Reporters Without Borders and the U.N. Human Rights Commission:

It is telling what nations voted for and against Reporters Without Borders. On the side of Cuba and Libya were China, Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Russia, the Congo, Pakistan and South Africa, as well as 17 other governments that are equally as respectful of the rule of law. Voting to defend a free press — and against the joke that Libya chairs the human-rights commission — were the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy and 19 other freedom-loving countries, including a handful that used to be behind the Iron Curtain and thus have a keen sense of oppression.

The fact that a U.N. council is split 27-23 over transparency with the media serves as a reminder that freedom of the press is not something to be taken for granted in a large part of the world.

It is also a reminder — as if we needed one — that far from being a Parliament Of Nations imbued with respect for all that’s good, the United Nations is, in fact, a dictators’ club whose chief role is protecting the perks of dictators.

UPDATE: Read this piece on the U.N. Human Rights Commission’s plans to expand its jurisdiction.