He thinks the council may stand or fall by a new process, known as universal periodic review.

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One hundred twelve countries have been reviewed to date under the Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council.

UN: Secretary-General

At the Universal Periodic Review later on Thursday, many countries - including Sri Lanka's close friends, Cuba, Iran and Pakistan - praised the country's post-war rights record.

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Council spokesman Rolando Gomez told the Associated Press that Israel's unprecedented absence had put the council in "new territory" because attendance of the Universal Periodic Review was mandatory.

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The universality of human rights is also central to the Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council, aimed at ensuring that all members of the Council, not just some, would be subject to scrutiny.

UN: Secretary-General