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[Excerpts:]

"The 2009 calendar year was a tumultuous one for Human Rights Watch (HRW). Following a fundraising trip in Saudi Arabia and the revelation that its senior military analyst Marc Garlasco is an avid Nazi memorabilia collector, many critics, including HRW founder Robert Bernstein, called for reform." "Perhaps organizations such as Amnesty and HRW fear that admitting mistakes will tarnish their hallowed reputations. They therefore adhere to the “human rights abusers are attacking human rights messengers” story line. While it is encouraging that HRW seems to be working to restore the balance called for by founder Bernstein, escalating global human rights abuses call for unwavering defenders of universal moral truths. If it is to play a relevant and effective role in today’s world, HRW must be willing to take an unbiased, principled stand."