The United States has officially withdrawn from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), following the end of its membership term on December 31, 2024. Starting January 1, 2025, the US transitioned to an observer state, aligning with the 193 UN member states that are not Council members.
Pascal Sim, spokesperson for the UNHRC, clarified, \"An observer state of the Council cannot withdraw from an intergovernmental body it is no longer a part of.\" This move underscores the Council's commitment to multilateral dialogue, welcoming engagement from all UN member states, whether as members or observers.
President Donald Trump signed the executive order withdrawing the US from the UNHRC on Tuesday. This decision marks the second withdrawal by the US from the Council, the first occurring in June 2018 during Trump's initial term. In February 2021, under the Biden administration, the US re-engaged with the Council as an observer and was reinstated as a full member in January 2022.
The UNHRC consists of 47 member states, with approximately one-third of its seats up for election each year. Members serve three-year terms and may be re-elected once, fostering a dynamic and diverse representation of global perspectives.
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U.S. cannot withdraw from a body it no longer belongs to, UNHRC says
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