WASHINGTON: The United States withdrew from the United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday accusing it of a "chronic bias against Israel," a move that activists warned would make advancing human rights globally much more tricky.
Standing with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley slammed Russia, China, Cuba and Egypt for thwarting US efforts to reform the council. She additionally criticised nations which shared US values and inspired Washington to remain however "were unwilling to seriously challenge the status quo."
The United States is half-way via a three-year time period at the main UN rights body and the Trump management had long threatened to quit if the 47-member Geneva-based body was once no longer overhauled.
"Look at the council membership, and you see an appalling disrespect for the most basic rights," stated Haley, bringing up Venezuela, China, Cuba and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Haley additionally stated the "disproportionate focus and unending hostility toward Israel is clear proof that the council is motivated by political bias, not by human rights."
Washington's withdrawal is the most recent US rejection of multilateral engagement after it pulled out of the Paris local weather agreement and the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
It additionally comes because the United States faces intense criticism for detaining kids separated from their immigrant folks at the US-Mexico border. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'advert al-Hussein on Monday called on Washington to halt its "unconscionable" policy.
Rights groups have criticized the Trump management for no longer making human rights a concern in its international policy. Critics say this sends a message that the management turns a blind eye to human rights abuses in some parts of the sector.
Diplomats have stated the US withdrawal from the body may just bolster nations reminiscent of Cuba, Russia, Egypt and Pakistan, which withstand what they see as UN interference in sovereign issues.
Among reforms the United States were looking for was once to help you kick out member state with egregious rights information.
Haley stated the US withdrawal from the Human Rights Council "is not a retreat from our human rights commitments."
Twelve rights and aids groups, including Human Rights First, Save the Children and CARE, wrote Pompeo to warn the withdrawal would "make it more difficult to advance human rights priorities and aid victims of abuse around the world."
"The US's absence will only compound the council's weaknesses," they wrote.
Jamil Dakwar, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Human Rights Program, stated Trump's "misguided policy of isolationism only harms American interests and betrays our values as a nation."
Jewish rights team the Simon Wiesenthal Center applauded the US withdrawal and suggested different nations to do the same.
Reuters reported ultimate week that talks on reforming the council had failed to meet Washington's calls for, suggesting the Trump management would quit.
The council meets thrice a 12 months to examine human rights violations international. It has mandated impartial investigators to have a look at eventualities including Syria, North Korea, Myanmar and South Sudan. Its resolutions aren't legally binding however lift moral authority.
Speaking sooner than the US announcement, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric stated Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "is a strong believer in the human rights architecture of the UN and the active participation of all states."
When the Council was once created in 2006, US President George W Bush's management kept away from the body.
Under President Barack Obama the United States was once elected for a maximum two consecutive terms at the council by way of the UN General Assembly. After a 12 months off, Washington was once re-elected in 2016 for its current third time period.
In March 2011, the UN General Assembly unanimously suspended Libya's club in the council on account of violence in opposition to protesters by way of forces unswerving to Libyan chief Muammar Gaddafi. But UN officers stated no member has withdrawn.
Haley stated a 12 months ago Washington was once reviewing its club and called for reform and removal of a "chronic anti-Israel bias." The body has an enduring standing agenda merchandise on suspected violations dedicated by way of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories that Washington sought after got rid of.
The council ultimate month voted to probe killings in Gaza and accused Israel of the use of excessive power. The United States and Australia forged the only "no" votes.
"The UN Human Rights Council has played an important role in such countries as North Korea, Syria, Myanmar and South Sudan, but all Trump seems to care about is defending Israel," stated Human Rights Watch executive director Ken Roth.
Standing with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley slammed Russia, China, Cuba and Egypt for thwarting US efforts to reform the council. She additionally criticised nations which shared US values and inspired Washington to remain however "were unwilling to seriously challenge the status quo."
The United States is half-way via a three-year time period at the main UN rights body and the Trump management had long threatened to quit if the 47-member Geneva-based body was once no longer overhauled.
"Look at the council membership, and you see an appalling disrespect for the most basic rights," stated Haley, bringing up Venezuela, China, Cuba and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Haley additionally stated the "disproportionate focus and unending hostility toward Israel is clear proof that the council is motivated by political bias, not by human rights."
Washington's withdrawal is the most recent US rejection of multilateral engagement after it pulled out of the Paris local weather agreement and the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
It additionally comes because the United States faces intense criticism for detaining kids separated from their immigrant folks at the US-Mexico border. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'advert al-Hussein on Monday called on Washington to halt its "unconscionable" policy.
Rights groups have criticized the Trump management for no longer making human rights a concern in its international policy. Critics say this sends a message that the management turns a blind eye to human rights abuses in some parts of the sector.
Diplomats have stated the US withdrawal from the body may just bolster nations reminiscent of Cuba, Russia, Egypt and Pakistan, which withstand what they see as UN interference in sovereign issues.
Among reforms the United States were looking for was once to help you kick out member state with egregious rights information.
Haley stated the US withdrawal from the Human Rights Council "is not a retreat from our human rights commitments."
Twelve rights and aids groups, including Human Rights First, Save the Children and CARE, wrote Pompeo to warn the withdrawal would "make it more difficult to advance human rights priorities and aid victims of abuse around the world."
"The US's absence will only compound the council's weaknesses," they wrote.
Jamil Dakwar, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Human Rights Program, stated Trump's "misguided policy of isolationism only harms American interests and betrays our values as a nation."
Jewish rights team the Simon Wiesenthal Center applauded the US withdrawal and suggested different nations to do the same.
Reuters reported ultimate week that talks on reforming the council had failed to meet Washington's calls for, suggesting the Trump management would quit.
The council meets thrice a 12 months to examine human rights violations international. It has mandated impartial investigators to have a look at eventualities including Syria, North Korea, Myanmar and South Sudan. Its resolutions aren't legally binding however lift moral authority.
Speaking sooner than the US announcement, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric stated Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "is a strong believer in the human rights architecture of the UN and the active participation of all states."
When the Council was once created in 2006, US President George W Bush's management kept away from the body.
Under President Barack Obama the United States was once elected for a maximum two consecutive terms at the council by way of the UN General Assembly. After a 12 months off, Washington was once re-elected in 2016 for its current third time period.
In March 2011, the UN General Assembly unanimously suspended Libya's club in the council on account of violence in opposition to protesters by way of forces unswerving to Libyan chief Muammar Gaddafi. But UN officers stated no member has withdrawn.
Haley stated a 12 months ago Washington was once reviewing its club and called for reform and removal of a "chronic anti-Israel bias." The body has an enduring standing agenda merchandise on suspected violations dedicated by way of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories that Washington sought after got rid of.
The council ultimate month voted to probe killings in Gaza and accused Israel of the use of excessive power. The United States and Australia forged the only "no" votes.
"The UN Human Rights Council has played an important role in such countries as North Korea, Syria, Myanmar and South Sudan, but all Trump seems to care about is defending Israel," stated Human Rights Watch executive director Ken Roth.
US withdraws from United Nations human rights council
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June 20, 2018
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