Press Release: Condemning U.S. Withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: February 11, 2024

Justice For All is deeply concerned by the United States’ withdrawal from the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC), a decision that weakens global efforts to safeguard human rights and hold perpetrators accountable for violations worldwide. At a time when human rights abuses are escalating—especially against marginalized ethnic and religious minorities—the need for strong multilateral cooperation has never been more urgent.

The UN Human Rights Council plays a crucial role in investigating and exposing human rights violations, applying international pressure on governments, and amplifying the voices of victims. Despite criticism, the HRC has been instrumental in addressing atrocities against Palestinians, Uyghurs, Rohingya, Kashmiris, and other persecuted groups. By stepping away from this platform, the U.S. is not only abandoning a key mechanism for global human rights advocacy but also signaling a troubling retreat from its longstanding commitment to international justice.

This withdrawal is part of a broader pattern of disengagement from multilateral institutions under the Trump Administration, including the devastating decision to cut funding to UNRWA and USAID. These reckless actions exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, leaving millions of displaced Palestinians without essential aid, food, and medical care. Furthermore, the U.S. departure undermines the HRC’s ability to hold powerful states accountable, including those facing rulings from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and genocide.

Justice For All remains committed to supporting the vital work of the UN Human Rights Council. Our advocacy continues through submissions to the Council’s Special Rapporteurs and Working Groups on behalf of vulnerable communities worldwide. We urge the United States to reconsider its decision and to re-engage with the HRC, recognizing that human rights are not a political bargaining chip but a universal obligation.

As human rights defenders, we reaffirm our commitment to holding violators accountable and standing in solidarity with all oppressed communities. The fight for justice requires strong, principled engagement—not abandonment.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Saffet Catovic

Director of UN Operations

saffet@justiceforall.org

–End–

The Importance of U.S. Leadership in the UN Human Rights Council

Justice For All urges the United States to reconsider its withdrawal from the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC), a move that undermines America’s long-standing leadership in defending religious freedom, democracy, and human rights worldwide. At a time when religious minorities face escalating persecution—from Christians in the Middle East to Uyghurs in China—the absence of U.S. engagement in this global forum weakens our ability to advocate for the fundamental freedoms that define our nation’s values.

America’s Role in Defending Religious Freedom and Human Rights

The United States has long been the world’s strongest voice for religious liberty and human rights. The UN Human Rights Council, while not without flaws, is one of the primary platforms where America can directly influence global human rights discussions and hold authoritarian regimes accountable. U.S. participation in the HRC strengthens our ability to:

• Expose religious persecution: The HRC provides an international stage to highlight violations against Christians, Muslims, Jews, and other religious minorities in countries like China, India, and Myanmar.
• Defend prisoners of conscience: U.S. engagement in the HRC has historically contributed to global efforts to free political prisoners, including faith leaders and human rights defenders persecuted for their beliefs.
• Counter authoritarian regimes: The U.S. presence at the Council is crucial in holding nations such as China, Russia, and Iran accountable for widespread human rights abuses, including their suppression of religious minorities and political dissent.

Why U.S. Engagement is Critical

Without the U.S. at the table, the Council’s leadership falls to countries that often oppose American values and seek to silence voices advocating for religious freedom and democratic principles. By stepping away, the U.S. loses its ability to shape the Council’s agenda, push back against biased resolutions, and protect persecuted communities. Senator Marco Rubio, a champion of human rights and religious liberty, has consistently called for a robust U.S. stance against oppressive regimes. The UN Human Rights Council remains a key instrument in this fight.

Justice For All has worked closely with the Council’s independent experts to bring attention to the plight of persecuted Christians, Uyghurs, Rohingya Muslims, and others. We have seen firsthand how sustained engagement at the HRC leads to increased pressure on oppressive governments and, in some cases, real improvements in human rights conditions.

Ensuring American Leadership in Global Human Rights

American leadership in human rights advocacy is not just a moral obligation—it is a strategic imperative. If the U.S. cedes its influence, countries with troubling human rights records will fill the void, reshaping international norms in ways that run counter to American interests. Remaining engaged in multilateral institutions like the HRC allows the U.S. to promote its values, strengthen alliances, and protect religious freedoms on a global scale.

We call on the U.S. government to reassert its leadership in the UN Human Rights Council and stand firm in defending the rights of all people to live, worship, and speak freely. The fight for human dignity is one that America cannot afford to abandon.