Biden breaks again with Trump's policy: USA returns to the UN Human Rights Council

Hardly a day has passed since US President Joe Biden took office without the US reporting back as a player in international diplomacy.

Now it is the turn of the UN Human Rights Council.

• US President Joe Biden * continues to break away from the policies of his predecessor Donald Trump *.

• Almost three years after Trump left the UN Human Rights Council, the US is planning to return to it.

• First, the US appears as an observer.

Geneva - The US will return to the UN Human Rights Council as an observer.

This was announced by a US spokesman at the United Nations in Geneva.

"We do this knowing that the most effective way to improve and reform the work of the UN Human Rights Council is through engagement in principle," said Chargé d'Affaires Mark Cassyre.

The US wants to "have a say, participate in negotiations and join forces with others to propose resolutions".

USA: Next Biden decision: As an observer - comeback in the UN Human Rights Council 

In June 2018, under the then US President Donald Trump *, the USA announced its withdrawal from the Human Rights Council.

Trump considered the body from 47 states to be biased, among other things because of its frequent criticism of Israel.

The US was also targeted by the council because of allegations of racism.

Above all, the police violence against black people like the killed US American George Floyd * caused criticism.

After returning to the Paris Agreement * and stopping the exit at the World Health Organization, it is a further step by the new US administration under Joe Biden to overturn the decisions of his predecessor to withdraw from international bodies and obligations.

USA: Return to UN Human Rights Council - want to "work with all of them"

The US is now bringing a new spirit of cooperation and renewal to its engagement with the Human Rights Council, it said.

"We are committed to working with all of you to strengthen this institution and defend human rights around the world," said Cassyre.

To get the membership again, you have to wait until the next election at the end of the year.

The US government sees the shortcomings of the Human Rights Council, but at the same time recognizes that the body has the potential to be an important forum in the fight against tyranny and injustice worldwide.

The commitment of the Human Rights Council is urgent.

A number of possible human rights violations have been observed over the past few months and deserve the panel's immediate attention.

USA under Biden again member: UN Human Rights Council - 47 countries represented

In 2006 the UN Human Rights Council replaced the UN Human Rights Commission founded in 1946.

The 47 countries represented in the Council for three years each are elected by the UN General Assembly according to a geographical key.

He investigates violations of human rights and suggests solutions.

Its decisions are not legally binding.

It happens again and again that countries are represented that are accused of human rights violations.

Among other things, the Trump administration accused the body of being incredulous.

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as / dpa / afp) * Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen digital editorial network