MEPs concerned over US disengagement from UN human rights review

The Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Chair of the Delegation for relations with the United States, have issued the following statement.

"We express our deep concern regarding the decision by the United States of America not to participate in a UN review of its human rights record, a move that represents a worrying retreat from Washington's global engagement on rights and justice issues, making it the first country ever to refuse to do so. The national report for the UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review of the USA was due on 4 August.

The decision by the USA not to take part in this process, together with the presidential order of 4 February 2025 announcing the US's withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) – as it previously did in 2018 – as well as the recent US decision in breach of the agreement between the UN and the US as a host country, send a very worrying signal to the world. They undermine the international order that was established after World War II to put an end to the atrocities that the world witnessed in those dark hours.

We call on the US Administration to reassess its decision and to submit its national report for the UN Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review. Failure to do so could further undermine a system by which all nations of the world abide. We call on the Presidents of the European Commission and of the European Council, as well as on the Vice-President/High Representative, to take a strong public stance to recall the European Union’s position in support of the international human rights system at large, and to deplore any attempts to undermine it. We also call on them to place this topic at the core of the agenda of our transatlantic relationship and to build alliances with global partners in defence of the United Nations human rights pillar.

We view this matter with a sense of urgency and gravity, as beyond this new challenge to the UN system, the future of the entire multilateral rules-based order is currently at stake. The EU’s response should be strong, determined, and clearly communicated."

Background

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process involving a periodic review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States. It is a significant innovation of the Human Rights Council and is based on equal treatment for all countries. It provides an opportunity for all States to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to overcome challenges to the enjoyment of human rights. The UPR also allows best human rights practices to be shared around the globe. The reports, reviewed by other member states, provide non-binding recommendations. Currently, no other mechanism of this kind exists.