The United States will seek an election to the UN Human Rights Council later this year and remain an active observer speaking out on violations around the globe until then, the U.S. Secretary of State said. SA Antony Blinken Wednesday.
Blinken, speaking to the council by recorded video, said the Biden administration would work to eliminate what he described as the Geneva forum’s “unfair focus” on all Israel.
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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivers a speech during the 46th regular session of the Human Rights Council on Wednesday
(Photo: AFP)
Under former President Donald Trump, the United States resigned from the council in June 2018 but the Biden government returned as an observer earlier this month.
“I am pleased to announce that the United States will be seeking an election to the Human Rights Council for the term 2022-24. We humbly seek the support of UN member states in our effort to return to a seat in this group. , “Blinken said.
Annual elections for three-year membership of the 47-member council will be held at the UN General Assembly in October. Current members include Britain, China and Russia.
“As the United States intervenes again, we urge the Human Rights Council to look at how it conducts its business. That includes a non- fair on Israel, “Blinken said.
Israel is the only country in the world that has a list of rights coming up for discussion at every HRC session, under “Item 7” on the agenda. Item 7 on “Israel and the Palestinian Occupied Territories” has been part of the council’s regular business for almost as long as it has been, opposed by both Democratic and Republican administrations.
The Israeli government has once again blocked allegations against Israel by the 47-member Human Rights Council.
The United States has previously opted out of the Human Rights Council: The George W. Bush administration decided not to seek membership when the council was formed in 2006.
The U.S. joined the group in 2009 under then-president Barack Obama.