UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed on Wednesday the establishment of the modalities for the Universal Periodic Review by the Human Rights Council.

In a statement released by his spokesperson, Ban said he welcomed the establishment of "the modalities for a strong and meaningful Universal Periodic Review."

"It sends a clear message that all countries will have their human rights record and performance examined at regular intervals, starting with members of the Human Rights Council," he noted, adding that "no country, big or small, will be immune from scrutiny."

The UN chief claimed that the periodic review holds great promise for opening a new chapter in human rights promotion and underscores the universality of human rights.

The UN Human Rights Council formally adopted new working rules on Tuesday in Geneva that oblige all member states to submit to periodic scrutiny of their records.

The Human Rights Council was formally inaugurated on June 19, 2006, to replace its widely-discredited predecessor, the UN Human Rights Commission.

(Xinhua News Agency June 21, 2007)