United States to rejoin the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council.

  • The United States announced that it would rejoin the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council that it left in 2018.
  • The USA will return to the Council as an observer with the aim of seeking election as a full member. 

WHY US HAD LEFT

  • Trump pulled in 2018 due to UNHRC's disproportionate focus on Israel, which has received by far the largest number of critical council resolutions against any country.
  • The council had also failed to meet an extensive list of reforms demanded by then-U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley.
  • In addition to the council’s persistent focus on Israel, the Trump administration took issue with the body’s membership, which currently includes China, Cuba, Eritrea, Russia and Venezuela, all of which have been accused of human rights abuses.

UNHRC

  • The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the world.
  • The Council was created by the United Nations General Assembly in 2006. 
  • Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
  • President: Nazhat Shameem.
  • It replaced the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
  • It is made up of 47 United Nations Member States which are elected by the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
  • The UNGA takes into account the candidate States' contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights, as well as their voluntary pledges and commitments in this regard.
  • Members of the Council serve for a period of three years and are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms.
  • The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) serves as the Secretariat of the Human Rights Council.

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