U.S. Withdrawal from UN Human Rights Council Is Performative Disregard for Human Rights

Amnesty International Australia strongly condemns the withdrawal of the United States from the UN Human Rights Council. This reckless and performative decision not only weakens global human rights protections but enables impunity for those who commit human rights violations.

At a time when Palestinians in Gaza face genocide, forced displacement, and denial of critical humanitarian aid, the international community must urgently reinforce, and not abandon, mechanisms for accountability and justice. The U.S. withdrawal sends a dangerous message—that powerful nations can simply walk away from scrutiny while enabling human rights violations globally.

Mohamed Duar, Amnesty International Australia’s Occupied Palestinian Territory Spokesperson, says:

“Australia must step up with the full support of international organisations to protect and uphold global human rights values. We cannot allow a select few to undermine the foundations of our shared humanity. Now is the time for Australia to take a bold stand on the world stage in defence of human rights.

Mohamed Duar, Amnesty International Australia’s Occupied Palestinian Territory Spokesperson

“Australia must step up with the full support of international organisations to protect and uphold global human rights values. We cannot allow a select few to undermine the foundations of our shared humanity. Now is the time for Australia to take a bold stand on the world stage in defence of human rights.

“We reject any attempts to displace Palestinians which amounts to ethnic cleansing. After 15 months of genocide, bombardment, forced displacement, starvation and denial of crucial humanitarian and medical aid, Palestinians have finally returned home.

“They urgently need aid delivered at scale, the rebuilding of homes and critical infrastructure and an end to the illegal 18-year-old siege on Gaza, the dismantling of the unlawful occupation and the apartheid regime.

“The responsibility to protect includes the responsibility to rebuild the futures of those who have been victims of mass atrocity crimes of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.

“Australia and the US must ensure lifesaving humanitarian aid enter Gaza immediately and at a scale to support the population and ensure the urgent rebuilding of medical and other essential infrastructure as well as the end of the illegal 18-year blockade on Gaza and unlawful occupation and the apartheid regime to be dismantled.

“Those responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide must be held to account and face trial at the International Criminal Court. The arrest warrants against Yoav Gallant and Benjamin Netanyahu must be enforced.

“Australia must do everything within its power to end Israel’s impunity once and for all, end the brutal military occupation and the apartheid regime.”

Mohamed Duar, Amnesty International Australia’s Occupied Palestinian Territory Spokesperson

“Australia must do everything within its power to end Israel’s impunity once and for all, end the brutal military occupation and the apartheid regime.”

The U.S. withdrawal comes amid its suspension of funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and USAID programs supporting Palestinian communities. These actions further exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where millions are facing starvation, medical shortages, and the destruction of essential infrastructure. The blocking of aid and the broader political context suggest a concerted effort to ethnically cleanse forcibly displace Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan, a clear violation of international law.

In response to the announcement that the Trump Administration will withdraw the United States from the UN Human Rights Council, Amanda Klasing, National Director, Government Relations & Advocacy with Amnesty International USA, made the following statement:

“Announcing that the United States is withdrawing from the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) when it is not even a sitting member, is just the latest move by President Trump to demonstrate to the world his complete and blatant disregard for human rights and international cooperation — even if it weakens U.S. interests.

“Our world needs multilateral cooperation around shared interests, especially the protection of human rights. International institutions will continue to function, either with the U.S. or without it, but it seems that President Trump is uninterested in having a seat at that table to shape the norms and policies of the future, or even to protect the human rights of people in the United States.

“The HRC provides a global forum for governments to discuss human rights concerns, can authorize investigations that bring to light human rights violations, and, while not perfect, is a tool to hold governments accountable in fulfilling their human rights obligations, including to their own population.

“President Trump’s performative decision to pull the U.S. out of the HRC signals to the rest of the world that the U.S. is happy to completely cede important decisions about human rights violations happening across the globe to other countries. This isn’t about President Trump thumbing his nose at the institution, instead he’s just demonstrating he’d rather make a callous show of rejecting human rights than do the work needed to protect and promote human rights for people everywhere, including in the U.S.”

Background

The Trump Administration’s withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) is the latest example of the U.S. disregarding human rights and international cooperation. Though the U.S. is not currently a sitting member of the HRC, its departure signals a blatant disregard for multilateral mechanisms that hold governments accountable for human rights abuses.

The HRC plays a vital role in investigating and exposing human rights violations worldwide. Its mandate is essential in ensuring that states uphold their human rights obligations. By blocking funding to UNRWA and USAID, the U.S. has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, effectively cutting off lifelines for millions of displaced Palestinians.

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AUSTRALIA: RAISE THE REFUGEE AND HUMANITARIAN INTAKE