Overview

• The U.S. Mission in Geneva formally notified U.N. officials that it will not participate in its Universal Periodic Review on November 7.
• A State Department official cited objections to what it called politicisation and a selective bias against Israel, accusing the system of overlooking abuses in countries including China, North Korea, Cuba and Venezuela.
• The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed regret over the decision, and the Human Rights Council will consider procedural options during its Sept. 8–Oct. 8 session.
• Council records indicate the United States could become the first country to forgo delivering a UPR report, though it could still submit before the current cycle ends in July 2027.
• Rights advocates, including the ACLU and experts such as Michael Posner, warned the boycott carries reputational costs and could encourage other governments to shun the peer-review process.