US Withdraws From UN Human Rights Council Citing Its ‘Shameless Hypocrisy’ And ‘Hostility To Israel’

In a move that can potentially erase much of the authority the body enjoys, the United States (US) has decided to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Economic Times has reported.

Announcing the decision, the US ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Nikki Haley condemned the body for its ‘shameless hypocrisy’ and ‘disproportionate focus and unending hostility toward Israel’ while ignoring those who actually commit rights violations.

Interestingly, a few days back, the body had released a report condemning Indian role in Kashmir. India had hit back at the ‘selective’ nature of report and had called out the council for calling Islamic terrorists as ‘leaders’. The US move further emboldens India’s stand.

Haley said that the US does not need to take lessons in human rights from hypocritical institutions. Other US lawmakers also welcomed the move.

"... the Human Rights Council has become an exercise in shameless hypocrisy - with many of the world's worst human rights abuses going ignored and some of the world's most serious offenders sitting on the council itself," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.

Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon also welcomed the move saying, "The Human Rights Council has long been the foe of those who truly care about human rights around the world. The US has proven, yet again, its commitment to truth and justice and their unwillingness to allow the blind hatred of Israel in international institutions to stand unchallenged."

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