The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is a 47-member body based in Geneva, established in 2006 to enhance the promotion and protection of global human rights. It serves as a platform for states, experts, and U.N. officials to discuss pressing human rights issues while adopting resolutions aimed at prompting actions from governments. The Council conducts a Universal Periodic Review every 4½ years, assessing each U.N. member state’s human rights practices and fostering improvements through recommendations.
Membership in the UNHRC comprises 47 nations elected by a majority of the U.N. General Assembly through secret ballots, serving three-year terms with a limit of two consecutive terms. Countries from different regions are represented, including 13 from Africa and Asia-Pacific each, eight from Latin America and the Caribbean, seven from Western Europe, and six from Eastern Europe. As of December 31, 2022, 123 of the 193 member states had served, and the U.S. held membership until the end of 2022, transitioning to observer status afterward.
The U.S. has had a contentious relationship with the UNHRC since its inception. Initially created under President George W. Bush, the U.S. did not join due to concerns that human rights violators could obtain seats. The Obama administration pursued engagement by joining in 2009, but the Trump administration withdrew in 2018, citing perceived bias against Israel and the presence of countries with poor human rights records. Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador at the time, criticized the council as a “cesspool of political bias.”
In October 2021, the U.S. rejoined the UNHRC, marking a shift in approach under President Biden. However, by October 2024, the decision was made to forego a second term, with officials indicating a focus on collaborating with allies for effective advocacy. Critics of the UNHRC often argue it disproportionately scrutinizes Israel while affording legitimacy to countries with poor human rights records. Despite its flaws, advocates highlight the council’s role in addressing global injustices, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken supporting continued U.S. participation for that reason.
Libya and Russia stand as the only nations suspended from the UNHRC; Libya was suspended in 2011 due to a violent crackdown on protests, while Russia’s suspension followed its military actions in Ukraine in April 2022. The UNHRC remains a complex and contentious arena where the global dialogue on human rights continues amidst polarizing politics and differing worldviews.
The UNHRC is a 47-member council based in Geneva, formed in 2006 to promote global human rights. Membership is elected by the U.N. General Assembly, with nations serving three-year terms. The U.S. has varied in its participation, initially joining under Obama, withdrawing under Trump, and rejoining under Biden, with ongoing debates about the council’s bias and effectiveness. It has suspended only Libya and Russia for egregious human rights violations.
The UNHRC, established to promote global human rights, experiences an ongoing tumultuous relationship with the U.S., characterized by political shifts and contentious debates over its effectiveness and biases. While the body faces criticism for its focus on Israel and allowing countries with poor records to participate, its role in addressing global injustices remains vital. Suspensions of nations like Libya and Russia showcase the council’s potential impact when addressing severe human rights violations.
Original Source: www.washingtonpost.com
