U.S. quits U.N. human rights body, citing bias vs Israel, alarming critics

By Lesley Wroughton and Michelle Nichols

 

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley delivers remarks to the press together with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, announcing the U.S.'s withdrawal from the U.N's Human Rights Council at the Department of State in Washington, U.S., June 19, 2018. REUTERS/Toya Sarno Jordan

 

WASHINGTON/UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - 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, a move activists warned would make advancing human rights globally even more difficult.

 

Standing with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the State Department, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley slammed Russia, China, Cuba and Egypt for thwarting U.S. efforts to reform the council. She also criticized countries which shared U.S. values and encouraged Washington to remain, but "were unwilling to seriously challenge the status quo."

 

Washington's withdrawal is the latest U.S. 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 U.S.-Mexico border. U.N. 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 U.N. 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.

 

The United States has long shielded its ally Israel at the United Nations. In citing what it says is bias against Israel, the Trump administration 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 U.S. 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 criticized 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 U.S. should be stepping up, not stepping back," Zeid said after Haley announced the U.S. 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 U.S. withdrawal could bolster countries such as Cuba, Russia, Egypt and Pakistan, which resist what they see as U.N. 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 U.S. 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, U.S. President George W. Bush's administration shunned the body.

 

Under President Barack Obama the United States was elected for a maximum two consecutive terms on the council by the U.N. General Assembly. After a year off, Washington was re-elected in 2016 for its current third term.

 

U.N. officials said the United States would be the first member to withdraw from the council.

 

Haley said a year ago that Washington was reviewing its membership. The body has a permanent standing agenda item on suspected violations committed by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories that Washington wanted removed.

 

The council last month voted to probe killings in Gaza and accused Israel of using excessive force. The United States and Australia cast the only "no" votes.

 

"The U.N. Human Rights Council has played an important role in such countries as North Korea, Syria, Myanmar and South Sudan, but all Trump seems to care about is defending Israel," said Human Rights Watch executive director Ken Roth.

 

(Additional reporting by Steve Holland in Washington, Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva and Ori Lewis in Jerusalem; Writing by Michelle Nichols, Editing by Yara Bayoumy and James Dalgleish)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-06-20

Nikki Haley blasts U.N. Human Rights Council as 'cesspool of political bias' as U.S. withdraws. 

She has that right. All the UN is a cesspool.

39 minutes ago, webfact said:

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.

The UN should be called UB, for unties bias, it has been for long time time been ruled and governed by countries who fears the Arab/Muslim world, terrified of reprisals that if the vote against muslim cause, bombs will go off in many capital cities and planes will fall of the sky, WELL DONE USA.....

If you are trampling the Human Rights, like 'Murica does, you should withdraw!

Very consequencial! 

Yes, don't always agree, quit. What happened to talking, diplomacy?

11 minutes ago, DM07 said:

If you are trampling the Human Rights, like 'Murica does, you should withdraw!

Very consequencial! 

"  'Murica" ???? Inflammatory? check. Trolling? check. Nonsensical? check.

 

Can you please address the topic rather than desperately trying to get a rise out of people reading the news thread. Ty

 

 This is another masterstroke by Trump. The UN has been a bad joke for way too long, and recent events where they attacked the Trump administration were farcical. Respect our borders or we we will leave, nicely played Trump. Again.

Kindergarten politics. I cannot have it my way, so I quit. Childish behavior. 

The decision probably has more to do with human rights abuses it the US, a nation that now boasts child concentration camps.

The UNHRC only goes after soft targets. They are good at citing countries that will just take it ie Western democracies.

I wish Australia would also never be involved with them either, and ideally, shut down its own HRC, which only targets white people for minor, or non-existent, offences.

Interesting that the vehement anti-Trump posters who are very pro-Israel are silent. The UN might not be perfect but the USA has lost all credibility with it's pro-Israel and hypocritical pro-Saudi stance.

2 hours ago, khwaibah said:

Nikki Haley blasts U.N. Human Rights Council as 'cesspool of political bias' as U.S. withdraws. 

She has that right. All the UN is a cesspool.

Absolutely correct!

It is incredible that it took so long for someone like Nikki Haley to realize this FACT.

None of these 'do gooders' are really good!

(There is nothing called a free lunch)

>>"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.
...well that notable absence would be because the US sold $350 billion to Saudi Arabia... another great bastion of human rights. Sheer hypocrisy.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-saudi-arabia-arms-deal-sale-arab-nato-gulf-states-a7741836.html

2 hours ago, khwaibah said:

Nikki Haley blasts U.N. Human Rights Council as 'cesspool of political bias' as U.S. withdraws. 

She has that right. All the UN is a cesspool.

NO this is just TRUNP style

 

1 hour ago, FreddieRoyle said:

"  'Murica" ???? Inflammatory? check. Trolling? check. Nonsensical? check.

 

Can you please address the topic rather than desperately trying to get a rise out of people reading the news thread. Ty

 

 This is another masterstroke by Trump. The UN has been a bad joke for way too long, and recent events where they attacked the Trump administration were farcical. Respect our borders or we we will leave, nicely played Trump. Again.

Stop lecturing me, what I should and should not do and - just for reference- have a look at one of the last tweets from your darling President! The one where he calls immigrants "animals" and says" they are infesting" the country and maybe have a look, at what happens in the child- internment camps.

...among many other "nicely played" attacks on Human Rights, freedom of speech and expression etc.

'Murica is on the way to become a totalitarian state, with less and less regards for Human Rights, so I find it fitting, they leave the UN Human Rights- body!

If you don't understand sarcasm (or a "joke" your President is so good at!), that is not my problem!

 

Some may cry and wail about this but the underlying criticism of the UNHRC is largely right.

 

I should point out that I don't really believe the UN does anything useful anyway apart from giving its staff the best perks anywhere.

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The United States has long shielded its ally Israel at the United Nations.

I suppose USA is the only first world country, which continues to support Israel.

 

It's funny how much power Israel has in USA, as the Jews only count for 1% of the US population. 

Could be mistaken but is not US the largest financial contributor? Who will pick up the bill?

7 minutes ago, oilinki said:

 

I suppose USA is the only first world country, which continues to support Israel.

 

It's funny how much power Israel has in USA, as the Jews only count for 1% of the US population. 

What does Jewish population of US has to do with supposed Israel power in US? Besides of course ignorant anti Semitic rant 

8 minutes ago, BestB said:

What does Jewish population of US has to do with supposed Israel power in US? Besides of course ignorant anti Semitic rant 

If USA's reasoning to quit the Human rights council, is because "it's unfair to Israel", that gives a good reason to wonder, why Israel has so much power in USA. 

 

Follow the money and power, like old saying goes. 

 

And btw. The Anti semitic card has been played for so many times, it really does not have any effect anymore. Please quit. 

 

 

10 minutes ago, oilinki said:

If USA's reasoning to quit the Human rights council, is because "it's unfair to Israel", that gives a good reason to wonder, why Israel has so much power in USA. 

 

Follow the money and power, like old saying goes. 

 

And btw. The Anti semitic card has been played for so many times, it really does not have any effect anymore. Please quit. 

 

 

I see, so your explanation is another anti Semitic rant to justify the first one. 

 

Makes perfect sense ?

Edited June 20, 20188 yr by BestB
Spelling

18 minutes ago, BestB said:

What does Jewish population of US has to do with supposed Israel power in US? Besides of course ignorant anti Semitic rant 

The largest section of US society expressing strong support for Israel are Rightwing Christians, by population American Jews are very much smaller in number, but please do not say that pointing to the existence and influence of the Jewish lobby in the US is anti-Semitic, there are times when it may be but that depends on context.

 

 

8 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The largest section of US society expressing strong support for Israel are Rightwing Christians, by population American Jews are very much smaller in number, but please do not say that pointing to the existence and influence of the Jewish lobby in the US is anti-Semitic, there are times when it may be but that depends on context.

 

 

Number of Jews and Israel’s supposed power have nothing to do with each other . To say otherwise is simply ignorant and in the context said by another was straight forward anti Semitic.

 

how about US shielding Saudi’s is that because have Arabs living in US?

14 minutes ago, BestB said:

I see, so your explanation is another anti Semitic rant to justify the first one. 

 

Makes perfect sense ?

Nothing anti-semitic about his reasoning.

Yet again, the only country congratulating the USA on this move is Israel.

By isolating itself again and denying itself a voice, it only harms US interests and the victims of human rights abuse.

It appears it is more important to the US to defend Israel against criticism than to be able to speak out against the victims of human rights abuse in many other countries.

 

Throwing the baby out with the bathwater all to please the tail that wags the US dog.

Edited June 20, 20188 yr by dexterm

2 hours ago, DM07 said:

Stop lecturing me, what I should and should not do and - just for reference- have a look at one of the last tweets from your darling President! The one where he calls immigrants "animals" and says" they are infesting" the country and maybe have a look, at what happens in the child- internment camps.

...among many other "nicely played" attacks on Human Rights, freedom of speech and expression etc.

'Murica is on the way to become a totalitarian state, with less and less regards for Human Rights, so I find it fitting, they leave the UN Human Rights- body!

If you don't understand sarcasm (or a "joke" your President is so good at!), that is not my problem!

 

Did your rattle fall out of the pram ?. I have looked at all trumps tweets and cannot find any calling immigrants animals and they are infesting the country  (except ms13 who to me are lower than animals )so could you post them or i would have to think you were a liar . 
 I watch a video of the internment camps yesterday pool ,, playstations , tv , world cup football  new clothes and believe it or not , nobody gassing them in the showers . Look forward to you psoting the tweets as i really want to see them but cannot find them

1 minute ago, stevenl said:

Nothing anti-semitic about his reasoning.

Have read your posts on Israel’s topics , not surprising you do not find anything anti Semitic ?

8 minutes ago, dragonballz said:

Did your rattle fall out of the pram ?. I have looked at all trumps tweets and cannot find any calling immigrants animals and they are infesting the country  (except ms13 who to me are lower than animals )so could you post them or i would have to think you were a liar . 
 I watch a video of the internment camps yesterday pool ,, playstations , tv , world cup football  new clothes and believe it or not , nobody gassing them in the showers . Look forward to you psoting the tweets as i really want to see them but cannot find them

Here is the one, mentioning "to pour in and infest our country"!

Your turn!

...but I guess it was just a joke...again...by the funniest man alive!

Edited June 20, 20188 yr by DM07

5 minutes ago, BestB said:

Number of Jews and Israel’s supposed power have nothing to do with each other . To say otherwise is simply ignorant and in the context said by another was straight forward anti Semitic.

 

how about US shielding Saudi’s is that because have Arabs living in US?

I never suggested the number of Jews has any influence on ‘supposed Israeli power’, I never even mentioned ‘Israeli Power’ supposed or otherwise.

 

Perhaps you were looking to be offended.

 

Let’s talk about the US shielding Saudi Arabia (for any reason you like) when the US announces it is leaving an international organisation because of alleged bias against Saudi Arabia. (Ie when that’s the topic of conversation and not an attempt at whataboutary).

 

 

59 minutes ago, BestB said:

Could be mistaken but is not US the largest financial contributor? Who will pick up the bill?

Way back payment metrics were agreed by member countries with the UN. US agreed to pay 22% of the UN budget. It should be noted the US has a history of holding back payments, at times more than billion dollars to enforce policy positions.More details...

 

https://edition.cnn.com/2017/09/19/politics/trump-us-un-spending-complicated/index.html

 

EDIT:

I agree with other Western country leaders, it is deeply regrettable that the Trump Administration is on a continuing trajectory of pulling out of or undermining  international forums. 

Edited June 20, 20188 yr by simple1

11 minutes ago, BestB said:

Have read your posts on Israel’s topics , not surprising you do not find anything anti Semitic ?

I'm not a big fan of Israel's present politics. But calling Oilinki's posts anti-semitic, is simply based on nothing. And now implying the same for me ?.