The Biden government said on Wednesday that the United States would pursue the election to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) almost three years after former President Donald Trump withdrew from the body, according to a report.
“I am pleased to announce that the United States will seek election to the Human Rights Council for the 2022-24 term,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the council, according to Reuters. “We humbly ask for the support of all UN member states in our attempt to return to a seat on this body.”
The decision is likely to attract criticism from the pro-Israel community and conservative lawmakers. Trump left the UNHRC in 2018 after accusing the world’s leading human rights agency of showing prejudice against Israel.
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION PLANS TO REVELOP WITH THE UN RIGHTS COUNCIL, REVERSING THE TRUMP
In 2018, a senior official said the council passed more resolutions condemning Israel that year than Iran, Syria and North Korea combined.
“As the United States re-engages, we urge the Human Rights Council to examine how it conducts its business. This includes its disproportionate focus on Israel,” added Blinken, according to Reuters.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks at the State Department on Thursday, February 4, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo / Evan Vucci)
The Trump administration has also criticized members of the body, which currently includes China, Cuba, Eritrea, Russia and Venezuela – all accused of human rights abuses.
Hillel Neuer, the executive director of the advocacy group UN Watch, said the Obama administration had a “tendency to become a cheerleader for the council”. He asked the Biden government to call the council’s “abuses” instead.
Annual elections for three-year members on the 47-member council usually take place at the UN General Assembly in October each year. The United Kingdom was elected a member and began its three-year term last month.
UNITED NATIONS scoffed at TWEET SAYING ‘WE NEED TO STANDARDIZE’ CRYING MEN
US involvement with the council and its predecessor, the UN Human Rights Commission, has been a kind of political football between the Republican and Democratic governments for decades. While acknowledging their shortcomings, Democratic presidents usually wanted a seat at the table, while Republicans backed down on their criticism of Israel.
Trump has also departed from the Paris Climate Agreement, the nuclear agreement with Iran, the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN, UNESCO educational and cultural organization and various gun control treaties.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION
Since taking office, Biden has rejoined the Paris agreement and the WHO and has signaled interest in returning to the agreement with Iran, as well as UNESCO.
Earlier this month, Blinken said the United States would initially engage with the council as an observer.
The Associated Press contributed to this report