The United States has called the United Nation's Human Rights Council: a "cesspool of political bias"
- In a surprised move, the US has pulled out of the UN's Human Rights Council by making some very strong allegations/statements.
- Nikki Haley, the US envoy to the UN, said it was a "hypocritical" body that "makes a mockery of human rights".
- Ms Haley further described the council as a "hypocritical and self-serving organisation" that displayed "unending hostility towards Israel".
- A few months back the US recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moving US Embassy there from Tel Aviv.
- At the time of announcing the decision to quit, Ms Haley was speaking alongside US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who not too long ago served in the US government as the Chief of CIA.
- Mr. Mike Pompeo, denounced the council as "a protector of human rights abusers".
- The US in the past, did opt to stay out of the UNHRC at the time of its creation in 2006. This was during the George. W. Bush administration.
- US joined the council only in 2009 under President Barack Obama.
Some facts to know about UNHRC:
- UNHRC is an inter-governmental body within United Nations system.
- It is responsible for strengthening promotion and protection of human rights around globe and for addressing situations of human rights violations and make recommendations on them.
- It was created by UNGA on 15 March 2006 by adopting resolution 60/251 to promote human rights globally.
- It has replaced former UN Commission on Human Rights.
- It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
- UNHRC is made up of 47 UN member states which are elected by UN General Assembly (UNGA) with specific number of seats allocated for each region of the globe.
- Members serve for three-year terms and can serve only two terms in a row.
