Dhaka, July 21 -- Every day, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is supposed to stand up for people who've lost everything, families caught in war, hunger, or oppression. Yet, something feels terribly wrong.

In some countries, where new leaders are trying to rebuild broken systems, the UN shows up with real help: experts on the ground, training locals, and watching closely to ensure people's rights are protected. It's the kind of support that gives a school teacher hope her students can learn without fear, or a shopkeeper faith that justice might finally be fair.

But in places like Gaza, where mothers hold their children tightly in bread lines, praying they won't be caught in violence while chasin...