The U.N. Commission on Human Rights just wrapped up its annual six-week session. The meeting was a study in frustration -- as usual. Human-rights offenders stuck together, blocking motions of censure, effectively shielding themselves from international scrutiny. The lengths to which those governments go to avoid condemnation are revealing, however. They prove that labels matter; that is a powerful reason to continue the international human-rights project. With energy and creativity, activists can seize the initiative and bring about constructive change in government policies -- in both their own countries and others.

This year, the 53-member commission condemned Russian policy in Chechnya, as well as the policies of Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Myanmar and Sudan. The most notable government to escape censure was China, which won support for a "no-action" motion for the 10th consecutive year. That shielded Beijing from criticism of its repressive policies in Tibet and its crackdown on the Falun Gong movement.

Human-rights activists complain that the commission will be a paper tiger as long as offending governments are members. The latter have an incentive to join together to block resolutions, which they have done with remarkable consistency.