Social Movements in the 21st Century: Causes and Consequences

              I'd like to thank everyone participating in the worldwide movement for justice and my political rights happening on internet, if you want to see this worldwide movement, access my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/LucianoFiettoNascimento/           or you can also to watch the videos on my YouTube channel, here is the link.   https://www.youtube.com/@lucianofietto4773/videos. Since the creation of this channel its visualization counter doesn't work, the same has been happening with the counter of this blog since its creation in 2010. Never a human rights defender has had so many rights violated for so long time. Justice needs all of us. This post is a summary of an article with the title above, published in 2020 at https://ijrar.org/papers/IJRAR2004380.pdf

               This study explores the causes and consequences of Social Movements in the 21st Century. In the dynamic milieu of the 21st century, social movements have emerged as transformatice forces, driving societal changes across the globe. The causes of 21st-century movements are diverse and interconnected. Globalization, with its rapid dissemination of information and ideas, has facilitated the emergence of transnational movements. The pervasive influence of technology, particularly through social media, has enabled unprecedented levels of mobilization. Economic inequality, identity politics and environmental concerns have galvanized movements advocating for justice, equity and sustainability.  Political upheavals, technological job displacement, and health crises further contribute to the complex tapestry of issues motivating collective action. The consequences of these movements are equally profound. Successful social movements have catalyzed policy changes to address systemic issues. They have instigated cultural shifts, challenging established norms and fostering inclusivity. Challenges to the status quo are inherent, prompting debates on resource distribution and representation. In essence, movements in the 21st century represent a dynamic response to the complexities of contemporary society. Understanding their causes and consequences requires an examination of the interconnected factors shaping their emergence. In the dynamic landscape of the 21st century, movements have emerged as powerful catalysts for change, reflecting the collective efforts to address social, political, economic and cultural issues. These movements often find their roots in a confluence of factors, ranging from economic inequality, discrimination, and environmental concerns. They are fueled by the voices of matginalized communities, impassioned activists, and a shared vision for a more equitable and just world. Social media serve as virtual town squares, where narratives are shaped, solidarity is forged, and the resonance of a cause reverberates globally. As agents of change, movements contribute to policy reforms, cultural shifts, and heightened awareness of pressing issues. Their consequences extend beyond immediate victories, influencing the challenge of existing power structures. Understanding their causes and consequences requires an examination of the intricate interplay of economic, technological, political and cultural forces. Main causes: 1) Globalization and interconnectedness has significantly influenced the rise of movements. Increased interconnectedness has created a globalized public where ideas and information flow seamlessly across borders. This has facilitated the emergence of transnational movements.  2) Economic inequality has been a catalyst for movements advocating economic justice and drew attention to the concentration of wealth among the elite.  3) The growing awareness of environmental issues and the impending threats of climate change have led to the emergence of environmental movements. Activists have mobilized globally to demand sustainable practices and corporate accountability.  4) Political events, upheavals and dissatisfaction with existing governance structures have triggered movemnts seeking political inclusion and reforms. These movements are calling for a more democratic governance.  5)  Issues related to education, including student debt, access to quality education and academic freedom, have spurred strudent-led movements. Movements like the "March for Our Lives" in the U.S. highlight the power of young voices in shaping social and political discourse.  6)  Growing awareness and destigmatization of mental health issues have rise to movements focused on mental health advocacy. Activists aim to increase access to mental health services, challenge societal attitudes towards mental health, and promote policies that prioritize mental well-being.  7) Advancements in surveillance technologies and the widespread collection of personal data have fueled movements advocating for privacy rights. Concerns about government surveillance, coporate data practices, and the erosion of individual privacy have led to movements calling for transparency, regulatory reforms, and digital rights protection. As society becomes more reliant on digital infrastructure, movements centered around cybersecurity have emerged. Activists in this space seek to challenge censorship and protect digital freedom.           The consequences of these movements reverberate across borders, challenging the status quo and inspiring collective action on a global scale. As we navigate the intricate web of causes and consequences, it becomes evident that movements are not mere episodic but integral forces shaping the trajectory of human societies. Their enduring serves as a testament to the resilience of collective agency, inviting ongoing reflection on the evolving dynamics of activism, justice, and equality in the unfolding narrative of the 21st century.

International Falsely Accused Day

Almost one month ago, precisely on 9th September, all the world reinforced the fight against the lies the harm innocent persons. I've been falsely accused of being aggressive towards my son and because of that, I've lost his custody and I've been kept away from him since January. Everybody knows that this is a lie, but the child court here where I live didn't decide so far, at least for accompanied meetings. I raised him since he was four months old and now he is eight years old. This is parental alienation with the help of the child court system. We can't tolerate falsely accusation, violations of human rights, injustice and impunity when these violations happen. All the world is demanding justice. Let's keep sharing all the violations, injustices and abuses happenning here. This is a summary of three articles. The first was published at https://www.falselyaccusedday.com/. The second was publiahed at https://www.falselyaccusednetwork.co.uk/post/falsely-accused-day-9th-september-2025-a-day-of-truth-courage-and-solidarity. The third was published at https://www.falselyaccusedday.com/our-story

Every year, thousands of innocent men and women fall victim to a false allegation. These allegations vary in nature and scope and may relate to rape, theft, fraud, murder and domestic abuse e.g. to gain custody of children in a divorce case). If you or a member of your family or a friend have been falsely accused, Falsely Accused Day offers you the chance to have your voice heard. Please join us in this fight. 

Every year on 9th September, people across the world come together to mark Falsely Accused Day, a poweful international event that raise awareness of the devastating impact of false allegations and honours those who suffered in silence for too long. This year, in England, the Falsely Accused Network, will be delivering speechs on the day outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London. For the falsely accused, For the falsely accused, this day is personal. It is a stand against shame, stigma, and injustice. Falsely Accused Day has grown from a small, courageous campaign into a global movement. Across the U.K., the U.S., Australia, Ireland and beyond, falsely accused people and their supporters come together every year to be seen, heard, and believed.

Falsely Accused Day is an annual event that is the culmination of efforts by a number of individuals and support organisations in the UK who have joined forces to raise awareness of the scourge of false accusations.The 9th of September was chosen to honour a tireless campaigner who was falsely accused of child abuse and sadly passed away at the beginning of 2020, but we celebrate his birthday which is falsely accused day. His experience was not unique and many thousands of people in the UK every year find themselves thrown into an alternate reality where they are required to prove allegations are false. Over the years, whilst we have been holding a Falsely Accused Day in the UK, the rest of the world took interest and we now have 20 other countries holding peaceful protests on 9th September.

International Day of Democracy - 2026

                Last Tuesday, 15th of September all the world reinforced the importance of democracy, and this year the theme was the importance of human rights to democracy. The importance of broader participation and inclusion. The importance of support journalists and human rights defenders who fight for make institutions more inclusive, fairer and trustful. For many years I've heard that people doesn't care about injustice, now we all know that this is a lie. Once again I'd like to thank everyone participating in this huge and resilient worldwide movement for justice and my political rights. Unfortunately this year again I was blocked to be a candidate and to make matters worse inexpicably I lost the custody of my only son.      Fighting for democracy, justice, human rights, development and political participation must be a duty for all of us. I have a YouTube channel, here is the link.   https://www.youtube.com/@lucianofietto4773/videos. Since the creation of this channel its visualization counter doesn't work, the same has been happening with the counter of this blog since its creation in 2010. Never a human rights defender has had so many rights violated for so long time      I really appreciate the support I see every day on internet.   This post is a summary of the article published at https://www.gicj.org/international-days-en/4532-international-day-of-democracy-september-15th

                 International Day of Democracy 2026 arrives with a sharper question than the one asked a year ago: not simply who is represented in democratic institutions, but whether those represented can exercise their rights, influence decisions and hold power accountable. The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has chosen, "Bring Human Rights Into Focus" as the 2026's theme. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) remains one of democracy's clearest foundations. Its principles of equality, freedom of expression and participation in government establish rights can't be separated from legitimate democratic governance. The U.N. has reinforced this message. In his 15 September, 2026 message for Day of Democracy, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the world is facing deepening division, multiplying conflicts, declining trust and a weakening social contract between citizens and governments. He stressed that democracy is more than elections, describing it as a daily practice of protecting human rights, the rule of law and meaningful participation across civic and political life. He also highlighted democratic processes as a means of bringing people from different parts of society into decision-making and strengthening peaceful, inclusive and resilient societies. The relationship between democracy, human rights and public participation has received renewed attention. Yet the distance between formal commitmens and lived experience remains considerable. Political violence, discrimination, restrictions on civic spaces continue to prevent many citizens from exercising democratic rights on equal terms. Technology adds another dimension to this debate. Digital platforms can broaden political participation, and connect citizens with insitutions. They can also accelerate misinformation, online harassment and the misuse of A.I. The democratic tasks is to ensure that technology expands participation without weakening privacy, freedom of expression, equality or public trust. The international community has therefore moved from broad declaration towards a more demanding implementation. The question is whether these commitments are reaching citizens worldwide. Democracy becomes credible when laws are applied fairly, institutions can be challenged, elections are trusted, journalists and civil society can operate safely and citizens can see a connection between their voice and public decisions. Democratic progress should be visible in greater representation of historically excluded citizens, stronger protection from political violence, wider civic participation, better access to justice, more accountable institutions and safer spaces for democratic expressions. International Day of Democracy should therefore be understood not merely as an annual celebration, but as an annual audit of democratic performance. Geneva International Center for Justice therefore calls the attention of states, parliaments, NGOs and other stakeholders to the continuing barriers faced by journalists and human rights defenders, including discrimination, harassment and the misuse of technology to undermine public participation.

50th Birthday of Alexei Navalny

                  A little more than three months ago, precisely on 4th of June, the Russian activist Alexei Navalny would complete 50 years-old, so this post is a tribute to him. He bravely fought against the dictatorship in Russia. Fighting for democracy, justice, human rights, development and political participation must be a duty for all of us. I have a YouTube channel, here is the link.   https://www.youtube.com/@lucianofietto4773/videos. Since the creation of this channel its visualization counter doesn't work, the same has been happening with the counter of this blog since its creation in 2010. Never a human rights defender has had so many rights violated for so long time.This post is a summary of two articles. The first was published at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexei_Navalny. The second was published at https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/nov/03/alexei-navalny-patriot-russia-books

                  Alexei Anatolyevich Navalny was a Russian opposition leader, anti-corruption activist and political prisoner. He founded the Anti-Corruption Foundation in 2011. He was recognised by Amnesty International as a prisoner of conscience and was awarded the Sakharov Prize for his work on human rights. Through his social media accounts, Navalny and his team published material about the corruption in Russia, organised political demonstrations and promoted his campaigns. He published investigations detailing alleged corruption by high-ranking Russian officials and their associates. Navalny twice received a suspended sentence for embezzlement, in 2013 and 2014. Both criminal cases have been considered political motivated and intended to bar him from running in future elections. He ran in the 2013 Moscow mayoral election and came in second with 27%, but he was barred from running in the 2018 presidential election. In August 2020, Navalny was hospitalised after being poisoned. He was medically evacuated to Berlin and discharged a month later. He accused President Vladimir Putin of being responsible for his poisoning, and an investigation implicated Russian Federal agents. In January 2021, Navalny returned to Russia and was detained on accusations of violating parole conditions while hospitalised in Germany. Following his arrest, mass protests were held across Russia. The next month, Navalny's suspended sentence was replaced of over 2 and half years's detention, and his organisations were later liquidated. In March 2022, he was sentenced to an additional nine years in prison after being found guilty of embezzlement. Following the rejection of his appeal, Navalny was transferred to a high-security prison in June. In August 2023, he received another sentence of 19 years on extremism charges. In December 2023, Navalny went missing from prison for almost three weeks. He re-emerged in an Artic corrective colony. In 2024, the Russian prison service reported that Navalny had died.

Alexei Navalny, Russia's leading dissident, died last February, imprisoned in the Article Circle. His posthumously published memoir is an exhilarating read. With an eye on pending tragedy, he lovingly writes of family, doubles down on faith and celebrates the quotidian. Navalny founded the Anti-Corruption Foundation in 2011 and he took his opposition to Putin mainstream two years later, running for mayor of Moscow. In 2016, Navalny announced a run for president, challenging Putin directly, only to see his candidacy barred in 2018. In 2020, he was poisoned. After hospitalization in Germany, he returned to Russia, immediately he was arrested and sent to exile to a penal colony in the Artic. He died there at the age of 47. On the page, from the grave, Navalny lambasts the war on Ukraine. "Because of Putin, tens of thousands, of Ukrainians and Russians citizens will die. Yes, he'll stop Ukraine from developing, he'll drag it into the swamp, but Russia too will pay a high price." Navalny's scorn is stringent:"We have everything for massive 21st-century development, but we'll again squander the historic opportunity of leading a rich, healthy life as a nation, in exchange for war, filth, lies, and a palace with golden eagles." The Russian government blamed natural causes for Navalny's death. To his supporters, it was an execution ordered from on high. Navalny himself was uncertain that autocracies are destined to fail. China, Cuba and North Korea have outlasted their critics. "We underestimate how resilient authocracies are in the modern world," Navalny writes, "protected as they are from external invasion by the U.N., by the rights of sovereignty. Beyond that, Russia is additionally protected by its membership in the U.N. security council and its nuclear weapons."

90th Anniversary of the Ford Foundation

                    Almost nine months ago, precisely on 15th of January the Ford Foundation complete 90 years old. So this post is a tribute to this important organisation. It would be good if the billionaries of nowadays can be inspire from Henry Ford and make something to help the human rights, democracy, justice and economic and political inclusion  This post is a summary of two articles. The first was published at https://www.fordfoundation.org/news-and-stories/stories/a-living-legacy-of-social-justice-at-a-global-scale/. The second was published athttps://www.fordfoundation.org/about/about-the-ford-foundation/a-history-of-social-justice/ford-foundation-at-90/. The third was published at https://www.fordfoundation.org/our-work-around-the-world/brazil/

                     In 1936, the Ford Foundation began as a modest. local endeavor in Detroit. This year, as mark our 90th anniversary, we look back on a journey that has seen a family trust evolve into a global catalyst for change. In 1949, the Ford Foundation was on the brink of a radical evolution. The bequests of Henry Ford and his son, Edsel Ford, had transformed the foundation into the largest in the world. Harnessing the potential of that endowment meant Ford would have to transition from a Detroit-focused charity to a large international philanthropy. To focus its giving, the foundation commissioned a blue-ribbon panel to determine how best to achieve its mission of advancing human welfare. "Basic to human welfare...is a belief in the inherent worth of the individual, in the intrinsic value of human life," they wrote. Only by advancing human dignity, the panel advised, could Ford fulfill s global vision of social justice. It began in the 1950s, when many countries around the world had won their independence and require a new generation of leadership to guide their democracies. In 1952, we established our first non-U.S. office in India, before rapidly expanding to Indonesia, Nigeria, Egypt, Brazil, Kenya, and Mexico. Building state capacity meant more than effective public administration. True dignity required a nation to be self-sufficient when it came to feeding its population, so Ford funded agricultural development programs and research institutions across the world. This work, in partnership with the Rockfeller Foundation and the U.S. government, spurred the Green Revolution, helping strengthen global food security. By the 1970s, we realized that supporting institutions was necessary but not sufficient. To keep justice moving, we knew we needed to invest in individuals who can shape insitutions for the better. These initiatives were paired with targeted support for individuals on the frontlines of specific crises. In Bangladesh, this meant supporting Yunus and the establishment of the Grameen Bank, Nobel prize-winning work in offering small loans to low-income households. And across Latin America, we funded the documentation of human rights abuses and fostered inquiry during periods of dictatorship. This work signaled a new era in Ford's international work in the 1980s and 1990s: the strengthening of civil society. This included nurturing the emergent field of international human rights, including grants to groups like Human Rights First and Human Rights Watch. It included investing in local civil society. By investing in these groups, we were investing in the defenders of democracy, empowering individuals to hold their own institutions accountable. As Ford celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, our long legacy of international work proves that durable progress begins on the ground. Yet a new era heralds new challenges, from the role of AI and its impact on labor and land to the fraying of the international order that has been the foundation for so much peace and progress. We'll address these challenges the way we always have: by helping to build the institutions that serve as a bedrock for human welfare and progress. By supporting the individuals whose courage drives history forward. And by rooting all of our work in a fundamental belief in people-powered solutions.

Since our inception in 1936, the Ford Foundation's work has touched the lives of countless people across the globe. Throughout our history, Ford has helped shape work that has become part of the global civic fabric: strengthening education and opportunity, supporting rights and representation for historically excluded groups, investing in culture and creativity, and helping build enduring institutions.  Our story is rooted in a steadfast belief in the dignity of all people and the freedom to achieve our full potential.

Deep-rooted discrimination lies at the heart of inequalities in Brazil, limiting millions of people's full inclusion in key institutions. To realize a more equitable country, Brazil must acknowledge that profound, longstanding discrimination has allowed inequality to thrive and then move boldly to confront it. Around the world, billions of people are excluded from full participation in the economic and political systems that shape their lives. When so many lack access to engage with their government and influence the decisions that affect their lives, policies fail to address their needs, favoring instead those with power and resources and deepening inequality. We believe that meaningful, civic engagement is an antidote to inequality, with rich potential to empower underrepresented communities that have too often been excluded. Across the globe, we work to protect and help civic spaces thrive to ensure all people have the opportunity to raise their voices and hold governments to account.

How Televised Cruelty is Desensitizing Us to Our Own Destruction

This post was written by AI Deepseek, including the title. For more than 15 years, I've been victim of systematic daily bullying on TV. I know that is difficult to gather evidences about this bullying, because this cowardice is made by nicknames, and always wanting to disqualify the victim and to diminish the destructive consequences of the violations. We can't never normalize the bullying, the suffering of the victims and the violations. We can't be afraid of demanding justice.   I have a YouTube channel, here is the link.   https://www.youtube.com/@lucianofietto4773/videos. Since the creation of this channel its visualization counter doesn't work, the same has been happening with the counter of this blog since its creation in 2010. Never a human rights defender has had so many rights violated for so long time.

In the modern media landscape, a new form of entertainment has silently metastasized into the core of our daily programming. It is not confined to late-night cable or the dark corners of the internet; it is broadcast in the stark light of day, during the hours when families eat breakfast and the elderly sit alone in their living rooms. We have become a culture of spectators to a very specific, insidious form of violence: the systemic, daily bullying of human rights violation victims on television. From sensationalist courtroom shows to exploitative talk shows, from "gotcha" journalism to the endless cycle of punditry that dissects leaked personal data, we have normalized the public evisceration of private citizens. We sit back, and watch as individuals who have suffered hacks, leaks, or the unauthorized exposure of their most intimate moments are stripped bare for our amusement. The danger of this dynamic lies not merely in the suffering of the individual victims, though that suffering is profound and often life-destroying, but in the chemical reaction it triggers within the collective psyche of the audience. By consuming this content daily, we are not just observing cruelty; we are undergoing a process of mass desensitization that threatens the very fabric of our societal empathy and, ultimately, our own safety. Desensitization is a psychological phenomenon where emotional responsiveness to a negative stimulus diminishes after repeated exposure. We know this happens with violent video games or graphic movies. However, we rarely apply this logic to the more subtle, verbal, and psychological violence displayed on TV. When we are repeatedly shown images of a hacked celebrity crying over leaked photos, or a private citizen’s medical records being read aloud on a panel show, our initial reaction may be shock or sympathy. But by the tenth time, the hundredth time, the thousandth time, that shock fades. It is replaced by a sense of normalcy. We begin to see the violation not as a devastating tragedy, but as a narrative arc, a plot point in the soap opera of the news cycle. This normalization has a terrifying consequence: it redefines the social contract of consent. Historically, privacy has been considered a fundamental human right, a sanctuary for the self. But when we watch, day after day, as this sanctuary is breached without consequence. We begin to subconsciously accept that our basic human rights are luxury, not rights to a dignified life. We start to believe that if someone is "interesting" enough, or if they are simply unlucky, their humiliation is fair game. We are taught, that the victim is the author of their own misfortune. In a total inversion of values. The producers who orchestrate these spectacles are masters of cognitive dissonance. They frame the bullying as "holding people accountable" or "starting a conversation." But the conversation is rarely about the perpetrator of the violation, the hacker, the violators. The conversation is almost always about the victim’s body, their finances and their relationships. The most profound danger of this desensitization is not that we will become cruel, but that we will become indifferent. A desensitized population is a passive population. If we are trained to view the public destruction of a public figure as entertainment, we lose the moral vocabulary to protest when it happens to our neighbor or to ourselves. If we laugh along with a host who mocks a data breach victim for having a "stupid password," we are less likely to feel outrage when a corporation sells our data. This creates a culture of victim-blaming that extends far beyond the television screen. It seeps into our courtrooms, where juries may subconsciously view a plaintiff’s trauma as less severe because they have seen similar trauma laughed at on TV. It seeps into our workplaces, where an employee who complains about a privacy breach might be seen as "too sensitive" rather than legitimately harmed. It seeps into our homes, where children and teenagers learn that the response to someone else’s pain is not compassion, but mockery. And here is the ultimate irony: the population that consumes this cruelty believes it is safe. We watch with the comfortable distance of the spectator, thinking, *That could never happen to me.* But this is a grand delusion. The desensitization we are experiencing is actively weakening the social guardrails that protect everyone. By tolerating, and even enjoying, the public bullying of victims, we are voting for a society where no one’s secrets are safe, where everyone’s mistakes can be weaponized, and where the only difference between the audience and the victim is time. The audience is not separate from the spectacle. Unless we consciously reject the premise of these shows, question the narrative, and rediscover our capacity for outrage, we are complicit in building a world where cruelty is prime-time entertainment and empathy is a canceled show. The atrocity we watch daily is not just ruining the lives of the victims, it is eroding the soul of the society, preparing us all to be the next guest on a show we never agreed to join.

20th Anniversary of the U.N. Human Rights Council

                   5 months ago the U.N. Human Rights Council completed 20 years-old. Precisely on 15th of Match. Once again I'd like to thank everybody participating and sharing this worldwide movement for justice and my political rights. Unfortunately this year for the third time, some people didn't allow me to be a candidate, but the worldwide movement carry on, because for while I haven't had any justice I need and deserve and neither my political rights respected. And the world fairly thinks that this worldwide movement must carry on.  This post is a summary of two articles. The first was published at https://www.civicus.org/index.php/media-resources/news/8124-un-human-rights-council-at-20-rights-and-civil-society-under-attack. The second was published at https://genevasolutions.news/human-rights/20-years-on-the-human-rights-council-wrestles-with-old-dilemmas

                    As its 20th anniversary dawns,  amid declining UN commitment to human rights and a crisis in multilateral cooperation. The global civil society alliance is calling for stronger and sustained Council action to prevent human rights violations and abuses. It calls for stepping up efforts to address unfolding crises, from Iran to Venezuela, where some of the most egregious violations are taking place. Following recent UN budget cuts, over 100 staff positions at the UN Human Rights Office will be lost. The UN human rights pillar accounts for only 5% of the total UN regular budget. The culling of rights spending reduces its ability to monitor abuses, protect civil society, and help states strengthen human rights systems. "Citizens and activists, including victims and survivors of grave rights violations, should be given a stronger voice at the UN. They must not be silenced in the name of efficiency due to ongoing financial crises. Defending human rights and civic space is a priority, " said Sigrid Lipott, UN Advisor at CIVICUS. Civil society must be involved in creating a new human rights system. A lack of involvement may weaken accountability instead of reinforcing human rights standards, narratives and partners. Civil society must be able to hold states accountable safely and amplify local voices. Polarisation is increasing between States that support or oppose human rights funding, civic space, and multilateralism. 

The UN Huamn Rights Council has forged a reputation as the world's top authority on human rights. Its 20th anniversary this year arrives at its most challenging time yet, Squeezed between political and financial crises, the Geneva-based body has not only been affected by budget restrictions but also increasingly weighed down by accusations of political bias, double standards and inefficiency. Those accused of human rights abuses accuse it of targeting them unfairly, while others lambast it for allowing autocratic states where abuses are rife to hold one of its prized 47 seats. The Human Rights Commission had been around since 1946. But over the years, it became synonymous with polarisation and paralysis. "The commission sessions were marathon-like and had become very aggressive. Groups formed and were very consolidated," remembers Luis Alfonso de Alba. "The average time to adopt a document was 10 years, anyone could veto anything," he says. Civil society participation was merely symbolic. De Alba recalls victims coming for the single day of the commission single session in the year when civil society was allowed to speak. The council was meant to correct those failures. De Alba, who was appointed as the council's first president and is credited with being one of its main architects, knew what had to change for that to be possible. Among his first acts was kicked out regional groups from the council bureau and invited civil society to all sessions, reserving them a slot to speak. Accusations of bias followed the council from the start. Hassan Shire director of the Uganda-based NGO Defend Defenders thinks that countries playing politics have distracted the council from its primary mission: addressing human rights issues and preventing them from becoming crises. Bloc politics have also re-emerged, with regional groups and political alliances coordinating positions and providing cover for each other. Twenty years on, the council remains a paradox. While it is more flexible and inclusive than its predecessor, it continues to operate within the same logic of bloc politics, double standards and heavy bureaucracy. For now, countries have made their bets: at its most recent review last month, they agreed that it should remain for the next five years.