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President Donald J. Trump is Standing Up for Human Rights at the U.N.

Foreign Policy

Issued on:

ENDING THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL FARCE: President Donald J. Trump and his Administration have taken a stand for human rights and withdrawn from the United Nations’ Human Rights Council (HRC).

  • The Trump Administration has announced the United States’ withdrawal, effective immediately.
  • The President’s decision comes following a year of tireless commitment to reform at the United Nations.
  • The Administration believes that withdrawal from the HRC will cast a spotlight on the urgent need for structural reform.

FAILING TO FULFILL ITS PURPOSE: The HRC has failed to live up to its purpose, serving as a shield for human rights violators and a megaphone for unfair bias against Israel.

  • Countries with poor human rights records are routinely elected to the HRC, and use it to shield themselves from criticism and impede efforts to address their terrible records.
    • The HRC includes elected members such as Venezuela, Cuba, Burundi, China, and the Democratic Republic of Congo—countries that have been called out for their continual human rights violations and abuses.
  • The Trump Administration has been clear about the Council’s persistent, unfair bias against Israel.
    • The HRC has passed more resolutions condemning Israel than it has condemning Syria, Iran, and North Korea combined.

A CALL FOR REFORM: The Trump Administration continues to call on the HRC and the broader United Nations for reform.

  • During his landmark speech before the United Nations General Assembly in September, the President called for reform of both the HRC and the United Nations generally.
  • The Trump Administration will continue its pursuit of HRC reform in New York and Geneva.
    • The United States would like nothing more than to see the HRC become the defender of human rights it was intended to be.
    • The Administration is willing to work with all partners to make reform a reality.
  • Over the past year, this Administration has taken several steps to advance the cause of reform at the United Nations:
    • During last year’s General Assembly, the United States co-hosted a reform event with British and Dutch Foreign Ministers attended by more than 40 countries;
    • American senior diplomats have held well over 100 consultations with delegations in New York and Geneva;
    • The Trump Administration circulated a draft reform resolution at the United Nations; and
    • Even simple efficiency proposals aimed at dealing with the Council’s budget crisis have failed to win sufficient support.
  • If meaningful reforms are undertaken that address our longstanding concerns with the HRC, the United States would welcome the opportunity to re-engage.