The US government is set to announce its decision to withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council. This would be the latest instance of the US exiting international bodies during Donald Trump's presidency. According to the Associated Press, US officials report that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley will present their definitive stance on US membership in the Human Rights Council on Tuesday, June 18, at the State Department. Since the official decision has not yet been announced, US officials declined to have their names included in the report. Meanwhile, Reuters has reported that Pompeo and Haley are scheduled to speak at the UN Human Rights Council session on Tuesday afternoon. Last week, human rights activists and diplomats stated that negotiations with the US regarding reforms to the UN's most important human rights body had not reached a conclusion, and it is likely that the Trump administration will withdraw from this body. The UN Human Rights Council has 47 members, and the US has been a member for about a year and a half of its three-year term. The suspension of membership or complete withdrawal from this body would be the latest instance of the US exiting international treaties, including the Paris Climate Agreement and the nuclear deal with Iran. This occurs at a time when the US government has faced severe criticism for its treatment of children from migrant families entering the country from the Mexican border. Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, described this US policy as 'against conscience' in remarks made at the Human Rights Council on Monday. The US government had boycotted the UN Human Rights Council for three years during George W. Bush's presidency but rejoined the body in 2009 under Barack Obama. The US Ambassador to the UN announced last year that the country was reviewing its membership in the Human Rights Council and called for reforms to eliminate what he described as 'institutional biases and anti-Israel sentiment' within the body. The UN Human Rights Council, established in 2006, has a standing agenda item regarding 'Israeli violence' in occupied Palestinian territories, which the US seeks to remove. Last month, the council voted to conduct investigations into the killings of Palestinians in Gaza and accused Israel of using its military power 'disproportionately.' In that vote, only the US and Australia voted against it.
US Likely to Withdraw from UN Human Rights Council
The US is expected to announce its withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council, marking another exit from international bodies under Trump's administration. This decision follows unsuccessful negotiations on reforms to the council and comes amid criticism of US immigration policies. The implications of this withdrawal could further isolate the US on human rights issues globally.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The US is expected to announce its withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council, citing dissatisfaction with its operations and perceived biases.
- The US has been a member of the Council for about a year and a half of its three-year term.
- The decision follows unsuccessful negotiations on reforms to the Council.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The UN Human Rights Council was established in 2006 to promote and protect human rights globally. The US has had a contentious relationship with the Council, criticizing its focus on Israel.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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