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<\/p>\nU.S. Withdraws from U.N. Human Rights Council: WATCH<\/b>
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U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley announced this afternoon that the U.S. will withdraw from the U.N. Human Rights Council, citing bias against Israel.<\/p>\n
NPR reports<\/a>: \u2018The move comes as little surprise from an administration that frequently has lambasted the\u00a047-member body<\/a>\u00a0for a gamut of perceived failures \u2014 particularly the dubious rights records of many of its member countries, as well as what Haley has repeatedly called the council\u2019s \u201cchronic bias against Israel.\u201d Haley harked back to a speech she delivered to the council one year ago this month, in which she laid down something of an ultimatum. At that point, she\u00a0told members<\/a>\u00a0that they must stop singling out Israel for condemnation and must clean up their roster \u2014\u00a0which includes<\/a>\u00a0Venezuela<\/a>,\u00a0China<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Saudi Arabia<\/a>, among others \u2014 or the council could bid the U.S. farewell.\u2019<\/p>\n Said Haley: \u201cI want to make it crystal clear that this step is not a retreat from human rights commitments. On the contrary, we take this step because our commitment does not allow us to remain a part of a hypocritical and self-serving organization that makes a mockery of human rights.\u201d<\/p>\n Some, like\u00a0DNC chairman Tom Perez, found it ironic that the U.S. should make a move as thousands of children sit in cages at the U.S. border, separated from their parents, who are fleeing persecution.<\/p>\n Perez released a statement:<\/p>\n \u201cThe United States should be leading the world on human rights, not retreating into isolation and separating young children from their families. Because of our seat at the table, we\u2019ve been able to give voice to the voiceless around the world while fighting for the council\u2019s fair treatment of our allies like Israel. Today, President Trump is sending a signal to the world that we\u2019re too weak to lead and too cowardly to fight for our foundational values.<\/p>\n \u201cTrump\u2019s withdrawal is especially disturbing given his persistent praise for despots and dictators with abysmal human rights records, not to mention his administration\u2019s cruel mistreatment of immigrant families seeking asylum. His blatant disregard for basic human rights will have dire and tragic consequences for marginalized people across the globe for years to come. We must all condemn Trump for his failure to lead, and we should work together to hold him accountable immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n The post U.S. Withdraws from U.N. Human Rights Council: WATCH<\/a> appeared first on Towleroad<\/a>.<\/p>\n