(CLO) On February 4, 2025, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the US from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
At the same time, he called for a review of US participation in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
US President Donald Trump. Photo: Sgt. Alicia Brand, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
White House press secretary Will Scharf said the move was to protest the "anti-American bias" of some UN agencies.
The UNHRC has 47 rotating members, elected by the UN General Assembly for three-year terms. The United States' most recent term ended on December 31, 2024, and currently holds observer status.
With the new decree, Washington will no longer participate in the Council's activities, including assessing the global human rights situation and handling allegations of human rights violations.
President Trump said he still sees the United Nations as having “tremendous potential” but stressed that the organization is “not well run.” He also criticized the US for paying more than most other countries without getting its fair share of the benefits.
UNRWA is the main aid agency for the Palestinians, providing education, health care and humanitarian assistance to millions of refugees. In particular, in the context of the fighting in Gaza, more than 1.9 million Palestinians depend on the organization's aid.
In addition to withdrawing from the UNHRC and UNRWA, President Trump has also called for a review of US participation in UNESCO. The Trump administration withdrew from the organization in 2017 citing “anti-Israel bias,” but the Biden administration rejoined in 2023.
The decision to withdraw from the UNHRC and UNRWA, along with the review of UNESCO, is part of Mr. Trump’s “America First” strategy, which prioritizes US national interests over international commitments.
On his first day back at the White House, Mr. Trump directed the US State Department: "From today, US foreign policy will protect America's core interests and always put the American people first."
Cao Phong (according to Jurist, CNN, NBC)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/my-rut-khoi-hoi-dong-nhan-quyen-lien-hop-quoc-post333051.html
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