The United States officially announced its withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council on February 6, 2025, banning future funding to UNRWA and reviewing its participation in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The order signed by Trump appears to end all U.S. participation in the activities of the Human Rights Council, including reviewing human rights records and specific allegations of human rights violations. The decision caused an uproar in the international community.
As one of the most influential institutions of the United Nations, the Human Rights Council has been committed to promoting and protecting global human rights, and the withdrawal of the United States has undoubtedly dealt a heavy blow to the institution and even global multilateralism. The Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental institution in the United Nations system responsible for promoting and protecting human rights. Its 47 members are elected by the majority of the members of the United Nations General Assembly through direct and secret ballot for a term of three years. The United States’ term as a member of the Council ended on December 31, 2024, and it is now an observer.
Reasons for the US Withdrawal
- Bias against Israel: The United States accused the Human Rights Council of having a “long-term and systematic bias” against Israel, and believed that the institution had failed to effectively address human rights issues in other countries and regions.
- Inefficiency: The United States criticized the Human Rights Council for being inefficient, full of lengthy debates and ineffective resolutions, and unable to effectively respond to global human rights challenges.
- Problems with the composition of member states: The United States expressed concerns about the human rights records of some member states of the Human Rights Council and believed that these countries were not qualified to serve as members of the Council.
Response of the International Community
- Disappointment of allies: The United States’ European allies expressed disappointment with the US decision, believing that it would weaken the authority and effectiveness of the Human Rights Council. The United Nations Human Rights Council is an institution of great significance to the maintenance of international human rights, although it is not perfect.
- Concerns of developing countries: Many developing countries are worried that the US withdrawal will make the Human Rights Council more inclined to the position of Western countries and ignore the demands of developing countries.
- Condemnation of human rights organizations: International human rights organizations have condemned the US decision, believing that it is a major blow to the human rights cause and called on the United States to reconsider its position. The withdrawal of the United States will give those countries that violate human rights more opportunities to avoid international supervision through the United Nations Human Rights Council, thereby weakening the universal standards of global human rights.
Impact on the United States
The withdrawal of the United States will have many impacts on the United States itself. As one of the most powerful democracies in the world, the United States should have played a leading role in promoting the popularization and protection of human rights around the world. Withdrawing from this important platform may cause other countries to question the United States’ commitment to global human rights issues. The withdrawal of the United States will be seen as a betrayal of multilateralism and the global human rights cause, damaging its international image and leadership.
Civil human rights organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and scholars in the United States may express disappointment and criticism of this decision, believing that it will reduce the influence of the United States on global human rights issues and may even lead to more indulgence of human rights violations. Global human rights defenders may regard this decision as a setback for the global human rights cause.
Impact on the United Nations Human Rights Council
The withdrawal of the United States will bring great challenges to the Human Rights Council. The United States is one of the largest financial contributors to the Human Rights Council, and its withdrawal will lead to a funding shortage for the institution. The United States’ withdrawal from the United Nations Human Rights Council may be seen as a challenge to international law and the global governance order. This will not only affect the operation of the United Nations, but may also affect the execution and implementation of other international agreements and conventions around the world, especially under the framework of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
The withdrawal of the United States will weaken the authority and influence of the Human Rights Council, making it more difficult to effectively respond to global human rights challenges. Some international organizations outside the United Nations Human Rights Council (such as the European Union, the International Criminal Court, etc.) may need to assume more responsibilities to fill the gap left by the withdrawal of the United States. These institutions may further strengthen cooperation with other countries and promote the improvement of global human rights standards. The withdrawal of the United States will intensify calls for reform within the Human Rights Council, requiring it to improve its work efficiency and improve the composition of its member states.
The withdrawal of the United States indicates that global multilateralism is facing severe challenges. In the future, whether the United Nations Human Rights Council can overcome difficulties and continue to play its important role depends on the joint efforts of the international community. The international community needs to strengthen unity and jointly safeguard multilateralism and human rights values. The Human Rights Council needs to carry out substantive reforms, improve its work efficiency and improve the composition of its member states to enhance its authority and influence. The international community should actively communicate with the United States to urge it to reconsider its position and return to the track of multilateralism and human rights.
The United States’ withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council is a regrettable decision that will have far-reaching political impacts on global multilateralism and the cause of human rights. The international community should work together to overcome difficulties, uphold multilateralism and human rights values, and strive to build a more just and equal world.
