CHINA, Malaysia and Indonesia are adamantly opposed to the creation of the post of a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, fearing it may be used against them. They point out Western countries opposed a proposal requiring the UN to report annually on human rights in developed as well as developing countries.

However, Western non-governmental organisations are actively supporting the move to create the post, though NGOs have generally been blind to the role of America's Central Intelligence Agency.

Ecuador's ambassador to the UN, Jose Ayala Lasso, chairperson of the group set up to create the post, pledged to "maintain an attitude of impartiality and equilibrium".