Donald Trump withdraws from UN Human Rights Council as he claims US funding ‘disproportionate’
Donald Trump signed a document Tuesday stopping US engagement with the United Nations Human Rights Council, claiming the country’s funding is “disproportionate”.
The document also continued a stop to funding for the UN Palestinian relief agency UNRWA.
Biden’s administration had initially paused funding to UNRWA, following reports that staff members were involved in the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
“The US funding to the UN is excessive and unfair,” Trump said while signing the order.
The US president also signed a “very tough” directive restoring his “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran.
He signed these documents during an event at the White House Oval Office.
This comes minutes before President Trump is set to meet with Israeli Prime MInister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington.
This also comes as Trump’s administration has questioned the future of the United States Agency for International Development, and if it aligns with the US President’s “America First” policy.
In a fact sheet obtained by POLITICO, the White house claimed the council “has not fulfilled its purpose and continues to be used as a protective body for countries committing horrific human rights violations”.
It continued: “The UNHRC has demonstrated consistent bias against Israel, focusing on it unfairly and disproportionately in council proceedings.”
“In 2018, the year President Trump withdrew from the UNHRC in his first administration, the organization passed more resolutions condemning Israel than Syria, Iran, and North Korea combined.”
This executive order will also require Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, to review which international organisations, treaties and conventions “promote radical or anti-American sentiment,” particularly looking at UNESCO, the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
Trump’s move comes as Rep. Elise Stefanik is due to be confirmed as ambassador to the UN.
During her confirmation hearing in January, Stefanik said she would ensure US funding is “going to programs through the U.N. that work, that have a basis in the rule of law, that have a basis in transparency and accountability, and strengthen our national security and our partnerships.”
She specifically hit out at UNRWA, saying they ignored their staff’s ties to Hamas.