The United States of America has withdrawn its membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The announcement was made yesterday by US envoy to the UN Nikki Haley, who cited the perceived ‘political bias’ of the UNHRC, particularly its stance on Israel, as the USA’s main reason for withdrawing.
Reacting to the news, Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson commented:
‘For all those who have been victim to human rights violations and for those who, like us, work to prevent further violations from happening, this is a sad and worrying development, one which is likely to foreshadow a weakening of the human rights regime around the world.
‘Humanists UK has been involved in the work of the UNHRC for many years now, and only this week we are in Geneva making statements in defence of LGBT rights, women’s reproductive rights, and freedom of belief. We do this because we believe it is valuable to shine a light on human rights abuses wherever they occur, and to engage states in that process wherever possible. Above all, we see it as our duty to speak up for those who cannot do so for themselves, to speak truth to power on their behalf.
‘The UN Human Rights Council is far from perfect, but its very existence gives credence to the idea that human beings have rights and states have corresponding responsibilities. In withdrawing from the Council, the US has indicated their intention to shirk these responsibilities, a process that already, tragically, seems well underway. We fear, too, that it has given the green light for other states to do the same.
‘The UNHRC is clearly stronger with the support of a committed US, but we must all now demonstrate that it can be strong enough without it. This duty falls not only on states but on NGOs like us and on the whole global community of human rights defenders. All the humanist bodies represented at the UN Human Rights Council, including Humanists UK, are ready to do our duty.’
Humanists UK has made an intervention at the UNHRC today, criticising the global crackdown on freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief online. The intervention draws the attention of member states to the growing list of secularist and humanist bloggers and writers around the world who are being imprisoned or murdered for their beliefs.
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For further comment or information please contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson on richy@humanists.uk.
Read more about Humanists UK’s international work: https://humanists.uk/campaigns/international-campaigns/
At Humanists UK, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. Our work brings non-religious people together to develop their own views, helping people be happier and more fulfilled in the one life we have. Through our ceremonies, education services, and community and campaigning work, we strive to create a fair and equal society for all.