“There is always an argument for staying, which is that the United States will be in a better position to help defend Israel,” Mr. Abrams said. “But this council is hopelessly compromised, so leaving is the right choice.” The withdrawal comes as the Trump administration faces condemnation by rights groups and governments worldwide for its decision to separate children from their families at the border. On Monday, Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, the United Nations High Commissioner for human rights, called for an immediate end to the practice, describing such a tactic as inflicting “abuse on children” and “unconscionable.” Mr. Trump has turned decades of American foreign policy on its head by attacking or undermining much of the rules-based order that the United States established after World War II. Previous administrations viewed the interlocking network of alliances, trade rules and international organizations as beneficial to the United States. But Mr. Trump has ripped up the Paris climate accord and the Iran nuclear deal — both of which were negotiated under the strong influence of world powers. He has also imposed tariffs on the United States’ closest allies and left the Group of 7 summit meeting this month in chaos and recriminations after he denounced Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada as “very dishonest & weak.” The Trump administration has made clear that it will not countenance the level of criticism and what it describes as slanted resolutions by the Human Rights Council that have historically been directed at the United States and Israel. On her first day as ambassador, Ms. Haley warned that “for those who don’t have our back, we’re taking names.” Rob Berschinski, a senior vice president at Human Rights First, another nonprofit organization, conceded that no one believed the human rights council was perfect. But, he said, leaving it is a mistake. “Countries like China, Russia and Venezuela will applaud this decision because we are freely giving up leverage over them that we previously had,” Mr. Berschinski said.<doc-sep>The US withdrew after threatening to do so for more than a year. The U.S. will withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley announced Tuesday. The decision to exit the U.N. body comes after more than a year of threatening to do so, calling for reform, and accusing it of an anti-Israel bias -- but it also follows one day after its High Commissioner criticized the U.S. over President Donald Trump's immigration policies, especially the one that has led to separating of families at the U.S.-Mexican border. Haley blasted the U.N. body as a "hypocritical and self-serving organization that makes a mockery of human rights" and "is not worthy of its name," while Pompeo slammed it as "an exercise in shameless hypocrisy" and said it had become "an obstacle to progress and an impediment to change" by providing cover for repressive regimes. After repeated warnings by the Trump administration, Haley said, "Regrettably, it is now clear that our call for reform was not heeded." The administration has argued that the body, which issues a report on Israel at every session, is inherently biased against the U.S. ally. But it's also criticized it for including repressive regimes among its ranks and not speaking out against member states. In her remarks Tuesday, Haley specifically cited countries like Venezuela and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, both of which are members of the body. "When a so-called Human Rights Council cannot bring itself to address the massive abuses in Venezuela and Iran and it welcomes the Democratic Republic of Congo as a new member, the Council ceases to be worthy of its name," she said. She lamented that no country would publicly join U.S. efforts to reform the body, even while many expressed support, she said. Specifically, she called out Russia, China, Cuba, and Egypt for blocking reform efforts, saying they'd done so to protect their own bad behavior. The Human Rights Council was created in 2006 after its precursor, the Human Rights Commission, was disbanded by then-Secretary General Kofi Annan because of a "credibility deficit." The body consists of 47 member states, with a specific number of seats given to each region of the world. Members are elected by the U.N. General Assembly for three-year terms and cannot serve more than two terms in a row. When it began, President George W. Bush's administration boycotted it because its membership included countries with poor human rights records. It was only in 2009 that the U.S. joined the organization under President Barack Obama, whose administration argued that U.S. membership could better steer it. But since Trump came into office, his administration has threatened to withdraw if it did not reform: "If the Human Rights Council is going to be an organization we entrust to protect and promote human rights, it must change. If it fails to change, then we must pursue the advancement of human rights outside of the Council," Haley said at a speech in Geneva last year. The Human Rights Council opened its latest three-week session Monday, and the High Commissioner Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein blasted the U.S. in his opening remarks for its "unconscionable" immigration policy of separating migrant parents from their children at the border, calling it "government-sanctioned child abuse." Neither Haley nor Pompeo referenced Al Hussein's remarks or answered a reporter's shouted question about them, but Haley accused the body of "attack[ing] countries that uphold human rights and shield[ing] countries that abuse human rights." Pompeo also seemed to take a shot at Al Hussein's criticism, saying, "When organizations undermine our national interests and our allies, we will not be complicit. When they seek to infringe on our national sovereignty, we will not be silent." A State Department official said prior to their address that the withdrawal was something long under consideration: "You don't make those decisions in reaction to one person's comments," they said. Haley added that the U.S. would rejoin if the reforms it has called for were made, but the withdrawal is effective immediately. The decision was criticized by human rights groups, who argued it was part of a pattern by the Trump administration of undermining human rights protections. "Once again President Trump is showing his complete disregard for the fundamental rights and freedoms the U.S. claims to uphold," said Amnesty International's Secretary General Salil Shetty in a statement. The U.S. "is willfully choosing to undermine the human rights of all people everywhere and their struggles for justice." Some even questioned whether the U.S. departure would negatively affect ongoing investigations into human rights abuses. "A decision to withdraw from this vital body undermines the international community’s ability to take collective action against grave human rights abuses," said Dr. Homer Venters, Physicians for Human Rights' director of programs. "With current investigations into alleged atrocities in Myanmar against the Rohingya, a humanitarian crisis in Yemen, and assaults on health care and civilians in Syria, including chemical attacks, there is no time more pressing than the present for nations to redouble their efforts to unite in defending human rights around the world." Foreign leaders, too, expressed disappointment with the move, with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres saying through a spokesperson that he "would have much preferred for the United States to remain in the Human Rights Council. The U.N.'s Human Rights architecture plays a very important role in the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide." But the administration did get one vocal and almost immediate response in support of its decision. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted just minutes after the announcement, "Israel thanks President Trump, Secretary of State Pompeo, and Ambassador Haley for their decision against the hypocrisy and lies of the U.N. Human Rights Council. For years, the Council has proved itself to be a biased, hostile and anti-Israeli body that is betraying its mission to protect human rights."<doc-sep>Many allies have tried to convince the United States to remain in the council. Even many who agree with Washington's long standing criticisms of the body believe the United States should actively work to reform it from within, rather than disengaging.<doc-sep>DONALD Trump has withdrawn the US from the United Nations Human Rights Council as his envoy last night called it a "cesspool" which is "not worthy of its name". America's UN ambassador, Nikki Haley, slammed the body as "hypocritical and self-serving", claiming it "makes a mockery of human rights". 11 Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the US withdrawal Credit: Reuters She threatened the US would pull out a year ago unless "essential reforms were achieved" but said it was now clear those calls for change weren't heeded. Making the announcement alongside Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday, she accused the organisation of a "chronic bias against Israel". She said: "For too long, the Human Rights Council has been a protector of human rights abusers, and a cesspool of political bias." Haley went on to criticise Russia, China, Cuba and Egypt for thwarting US efforts to reform the council - formed in 2006 to replace the UN's Human Rights Commission. 11 Donald Trump's envoy Nikki Haley has confirmed the US has withdrawn from the UN Human Rights Council Credit: EPA 11 Nikki Haley slammed the council, formed in 2006, as 'hypocritical and self-serving' Credit: Reuters 11 The Human Rights Council at the European headquarters of the United Nations (UNOG) in Geneva, Switzerland Credit: EPA Vice President Mike Pence later tweeted a statement: "Today the US took a stand against some of the world's worst human rights violators by withdrawing from the United Nations Human Rights Council. "By elevating and protecting human rights violators and engaging in smear campaigns against democratic nations, the UNHRC makes a mockery of itself, its members, and the mission it was founded on. "For years, the UNHRC has engaged in ever more virulent anti-American, and anti-Israel invective and the days of US participation are over." The move also came just one day after the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights slammed the separation of children from their parents at the US-Mexico border as "unconscionable." 11 Families inside a United States Border Patrol Processing Center, in McAllen, Texas Credit: EPA So why is the US pulling out? The US has long called for the body to reform, saying it is made up of members that have been regularly accused of human rights violations. Ms Haley pointed to the involvement of countries like China, Cuba and Venezuela in her speech on Tuesday. She said: "Look at the council membership, and you see an appalling disrespect for the most basic rights." Haley also said the "disproportionate focus and unending hostility toward Israel is clear proof that the council is motivated by political bias, not by human rights." Among reforms the United States had been seeking was to make it easier to kick out member state with abhorrent rights records. 11 US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivers remarks together with Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley Credit: Reuters 11 Haley threatened the US would pull out a year ago unless 'essential reforms were achieved' Credit: Reuters Are there any other reasons? Haley also cited longstanding US complaints that the 47-member council is biased against long-standing ally Israel. Britain has also urged the UN Human Rights Council to reform its treatment of Israel. On Monday, it joined the United States in demanding an end to what it sees as the body’s bias against the Jewish state. Addressing the opening of the 38th council session, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson criticised the council’s controversial Agenda Item 7, a permanent fixture on the schedule exclusively devoted to discussing rights abuses in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Israel is the only country with a dedicated council item. Item 7 on “Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories” has been part of the council’s regular business 2007, almost as long as it has existed. 11 She accused the organisation of a 'chronic bias against Israel' Credit: Reuters 11 Trump arrives to Capitol Hill to address the house Republican conference about immigration Credit: Getty Images - Getty Washington has sided with Israel in condemning Item 7 as prejudiced, noting that countries with worse rights records in recent years, like Syria, are spared such intense scrutiny. While previous US administrations have criticised Item 7, Trump’s government did raise the prospect of withdrawing from the council unless it was scrapped. What has been the reaction? The UN has not surprisingly expressed its disappointment at the drastic move by Trump's administration. "The Secretary-General would have much preferred for the United States to remain in the Human Rights Council," a spokesman for António Guterres, said in response to the US announcement. "The UN's Human Rights architecture plays a very important role in the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide." What is the UN Human Rights Council? The United Nations set up the council in 2006 to replace the UN Commission on Human Rights. The old body faced mounting criticism for letting countries with poor human rights records join. A group of 47 chosen countries from various global regions serve for three-year terms on the council. It meets three times a year, and reviews the current human rights records of all UN members. The council gives countries under scrutiny the chance to say what they have done to improve human rights. It also sends out independent experts and has set up commissions of inquiry to report on human rights violations in countries including Syria, North Korea and South Sudan. The UNHRC's current president, Slovenian ambassador Vojislav Suc, said the body was the only one "responding to human rights issues and situations worldwide". After the US decision to quit, he said, "it is essential that we uphold a strong and vibrant council". The UN human rights commissioner, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, said it was "disappointing, if not really surprising, news." Writing on Twitter, he added: "Given the state of #HumanRights in today's world, the US should be stepping up, not stepping back." UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the decision was "regrettable", arguing that while reforms are needed, the UNHRC is "crucial to holding states to account".<doc-sep>
The United States withdrew from a “hypocritical and self-serving” United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday over what it called chronic bias against Israel and a lack of reform, a move activists warned would make advancing human rights globally even more difficult. Standing with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the State Department, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley slammed Russia, China, Cuba and Egypt for thwarting US efforts to reform the council. She also criticised countries which shared US values and encouraged Washington to remain, but “were unwilling to seriously challenge the status quo.” Washington’s withdrawal is the latest US rejection of multilateral engagement after it pulled out of the Paris climate agreement and the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. It also comes as the United States faces intense criticism for detaining children separated from their immigrant parents at the US-Mexico border. UN human rights chief Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein on Monday called on Washington to halt its “unconscionable” policy. “Look at the council membership, and you see an appalling disrespect for the most basic rights,” said Haley, citing Venezuela, China, Cuba and Democratic Republic of Congo. She did not mention Saudi Arabia, which rights groups pushed to be suspended in 2016 over killings of civilians in the Yemen war. Among reforms the United States had pushed for was to make it easier to kick out member states with egregious rights records. Currently a two-thirds majority vote by the 193-member UN General Assembly is needed to suspend a member state. Haley also said the “disproportionate focus and unending hostility towards Israel is clear proof that the council is motivated by political bias, not by human rights.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the U.S. decision. US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley delivers remarks to the press together with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (not pictured), announcing the US’ withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council. (Reuters Photo) The United States has long shielded its ally Israel at the United Nations. In citing what it says is bias against Israel, the administration of President Donald Trump could further fuel Palestinian arguments that Washington cannot be a neutral mediator as it prepares to roll out a Middle East peace plan. Washington also relocated its embassy to Jerusalem after recognising it as the capital of Israel, reversing decades of US policy. The United States is half-way through a three-year term on the 47-member Geneva-based body and the Trump administration had long threatened to quit if it was not overhauled. ‘Misguided policy’ Rights groups have criticised the Trump administration for not making human rights a priority in its foreign policy. Critics say this sends a message that the administration turns a blind eye to human rights abuses in some parts of the world. “Given the state of human rights in today’s world, the US should be stepping up, not stepping back,” Zeid said after Haley announced the US withdrawal. Reuters reported last week that talks on reforming the council had failed to meet Washington’s demands, suggesting the Trump administration would quit. “The Human Rights Council enables abuses by absolving wrongdoers through silence and falsely condemning those that committed no offence,” Pompeo said. Diplomats have said the US withdrawal could bolster countries such as Cuba, Russia, Egypt and Pakistan, which resist what they see as UN interference in sovereign issues. Haley said the withdrawal “is not a retreat from our human rights commitments”. Twelve rights and aid groups, including Human Rights First, Save the Children and CARE, warned Pompeo the US withdrawal would “make it more difficult to advance human rights priorities and aid victims of abuse around the world”. Jamil Dakwar, director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Human Rights Program, said Trump’s “misguided policy of isolationism only harms American interests”. The EU said Washington’s decision “risks undermining the role of the US as a champion and supporter of democracy on the world stage.” British foreign secretary Boris Johnson said it was regrettable and that the council was the “best tool the international community has to address impunity”. First member to withdraw The Human Rights Council meets three times a year to examine human rights violations worldwide. It has mandated independent investigators to look at situations including Syria, North Korea, Myanmar and South Sudan. Its resolutions are not legally binding but carry moral authority. When the Council was created in 2006, US President George W Bush’s administration shunned the body.