Biden Moves U.S. To Rejoin UN Human Rights Council, Reversing Trump

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(UN Photo/Elma Okic)  The Human Rights Council, Geneva (file photo, May 2018)

By Gary Raynaldo   DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

The United States will return to the U.N. Human Rights Council after nearly three years when then President Trump abruptly pulled America out of the Council.  Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced this week the U.S. will rejoin the council as an observer.  Blinken said the Biden administration has recommitted the U.S.  to a foreign policy centered on democracy, human rights, and equality.

“Effective use of multilateral tools is an important element of that vision, and in that regard the President has instructed the Department of State to reengage immediately and robustly with the UN Human Rights Council.”

-U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken introduces President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and Vice President Kamala D. Harris to State Department employees, at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on February 4, 2021. [State Department Photo by Freddie Everett]

 In June 2018, President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S.  from the UNHRC, citing anti-Israel bias.  The announcement came just a day after the U.N. human rights chief, Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, denounced the Trump administration for separating migrant children from their parents. 

Secretary of State Blinken acknowledged that the  UNHRC is not perfect and is in need of reforms, particularly in its “disproportionate” focus on Israel.  

“We recognize that the Human Rights Council is a flawed body, in need of reform to its agenda, membership, and focus, including its disproportionate focus on Israel. However, our withdrawal in June 2018 did nothing to encourage meaningful change, but instead created a vacuum of U.S. leadership, which countries with authoritarian agendas have used to their advantage.” -Secretary of State Blinken.

However,  Blinken said when the UNHRC works well,  “the council shines a spotlight on countries with the worst human rights records and can serve as an important forum for those fighting injustice and tyranny.”  Blinken added that the council can  help to promote fundamental freedoms around the globe, including freedoms of expression, association and assembly, and religion or belief as well as the fundamental rights of women, girls, LGBTQI+ persons, and other marginalized communities. 

The Secretary of State said, in the immediate term, the U.S. will engage with the council as an observer, and in that capacity will have the opportunity to speak in the council, participate in negotiations, and partner with others to introduce resolutions.   “It is our view that the best way to improve the Council is to engage with it and its members in a principled fashion. We strongly believe that when the United States engages constructively with the Council, in concert with our allies and friends, positive change is within reach.”

 

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