Overview

• The U.S. Embassy in Geneva formally told UN human rights chief Volker Türk it will not take part in the Universal Periodic Review set for Nov. 7 in Geneva.
• The U.S. letter argues the UN system no longer treats countries equally and alleges persistent selective bias against Israel.
• Washington also accuses UN bodies of overlooking abuses in China, North Korea, Cuba and Venezuela, saying this undermines the review’s credibility.
• The decision follows a February decree by President Donald Trump ending U.S. cooperation with the UN Human Rights Council and related bodies.
• UN officials note past postponements for countries such as Haiti, Sudan and Ukraine and recall Israel’s 2013 deferral, while the ACLU condemns the U.S. refusal as evading accountability and setting a harmful precedent.