US Withdraws from United Nations Human Right Council
Trump administration had been threatening to quit for quite a long period of time from the Geneva-based organization.
The United States of America has withdrawn from the International Human Rights body, United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in protest of its criticism of Israel’s handling of Palestinians. It is probably for the first time a member of UN Human Right Council has left the organization voluntarily. Now with this withdrawal, US joins the league of nations such as Iran, Eritrea, and North Korea who has refused to participate in its future meetings and deliberations.
Announcing the exit, Nikki R Haley, the US Ambassador to UN said, “Earlier this year, as it has in previous years, the Human Rights Council passed five resolutions against Israel more than the number passed against North Korea, Iran and Syria combined. This disproportionate focus and unending hostility towards Israel is clear proof that the council is motivated by political bias, not by human rights. If the Human Rights Council is going to attack countries that uphold human rights and shield countries that abuse human rights, then America should not provide it with any credibility”.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley also criticised Russia, China, Egypt and Cuba for disturbing US efforts to reform the council.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the decision by the US, in a post on Twitter he wrote, “The US decision to leave this prejudiced body is an unequivocal statement that enough is enough”.
While UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres said through an official spokesperson that he wanted US to remain in the council, as the role of US is prominent in promoting and protection of human rights across the world.
The United States has been protecting its ally Israel at the United Nations for a long period of time. As the US cannot be a neutral mediator as it is preparing some modification in its Middle East peace plan. Recently the US has relocated its embassy to Jerusalem after recognizing it as the capital of Israel, reversing its long drawn policy.
The United States has just completed half of its term in the organization with 47 members with a three-year term. Trump administration had been threatening to quit for quite a long period of time from the Geneva-based organization.
The European Union has reacted showing its concern over the US decision to quit, “risks undermining the role of the U.S. as a champion and supporter of democracy on the world stage”, according to the statement released by EU. Meanwhile, Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary of UK said the decision taken by US is a regrettable one and that the council is the “best tool the international community has to address impunity.”
Experts are of the opinion that the US withdrawal could encourage countries like Cuba, Russia, Egypt, and Pakistan, to say against UN, who always blamed UN for interference in their sovereign issues.
The Human Rights Council meets for three times in a year to examine human rights violations across the world. In recent years it has ordered independent investigators to look at the situations including Syria, North Korea, Myanmar, and Sudan. Though the resolutions of Human Rights Council are not legally binding but carry moral authority.