The fact that Honduras was the country to sponsor a resolution condemning Cuba's human rights record at the U.N. Human Rights Commission is revealing. While smaller Latin American countries have taken the lead in holding Fidel Castro accountable, the region's powerbrokers remain absent every April in Geneva, when the time comes for a country to sponsor the resolution.
    This week, the 53-member human-rights commission will vote on a Cuba human-rights resolution. Brazil has not only failed to sponsor the yearly resolutions, it has always abstained from voting on them. Mexico supported resolutions the past two years, but this year its position is unclear. Argentina, which supported a resolution last year, is expected to abstain. The Chilean government deferred to its legislature, and is expected to support the resolution after its lower house voted in favor of doing so.
    The reticence of Latin America's large countries to take the lead in holding Cuba accountable for its abuses belies recent motions at the Organization of American States (OAS) to strengthen democracy. On Thursday, the OAS permanent council announced it would hold a special session on the promotion of a democratic culture through education. On Wednesday, the Mexican ambassador called for a regional debate on fortifying the democratic governability of the Western Hemisphere.
    These special sessions and lofty calls are fine enough, but Latin American leaders should be leading by more direct example. The region's willingness to legitimize Mr. Castro emboldens leaders with autocratic leanings and betrays Cuba's prisoners of conscience. The bureaucratic gyrations at the OAS can't undo that damage.
    Mr. Castro has given the world plenty of cause for condemnation. Just over one year ago, his regime held sham trials that sentenced 75 political dissidents to up to 28 years in prison solely for exercising free speech.
    There is no legitimate way to gloss over Mr. Castro's transgressions. This week, the human-rights commission will have an opportunity to support Cuba's jailed dissidents and repressed population. Approval is usually decided by a margin of one or two votes. It would be a pity if the international community, and particularly Latin American countries, abstained from voting.