Human Rights First Decries U.S. Boycott of UN Universal Periodic Review for Further Damaging U.S. Credibility and International Human Rights Norms
Washington, D.C. — Human Rights First today condemned the U.S. government’s unprecedented decision to not participate in its own Universal Periodic Review (UPR) before the United Nations Human Rights Council this year. The move is another damaging setback to American credibility on human rights and accountability. All 193 UN member states have taken part in the UPR process since its inception in 2006. The United States joins Israel as the only UN member state to boycott its own UPR, though Israel rejoined the process in 2013, 2018 and 2023 after its January 2013 withdrawal.
“Showing up and explaining your own record on human rights is the bare minimum for any government that purports to exercise international leadership and uphold democratic norms,” said Uzra Zeya, President and CEO of Human Rights First. “The United States isn’t being singled out — every UN member state takes its turn having its human rights record assessed. Running away from that scrutiny doesn’t just show weakness and a lack of confidence, it will give rights-abusing governments cover to do the same themselves.”
The UPR process provides an opportunity for other states and U.S. civil society to scrutinize the U.S. record under key human rights commitments, and to make non-binding recommendations for improving that record. If carried out, the announced U.S. withdrawal from this UPR process would be unprecedented and further affirm theTrump administration’s disregard for international accountability and human rights at home and around the world.
Weakening the UPR process also risks depriving civil society under siege, in countries from China and Russia to Egypt, El Salvador, and Venezuela, of an essential platform for holding their governments to account.
The Trump administration should reverse course. Even if it does not, other UN member states, non-governmental organizations, and officials from the state and local level in the United States should continue with the review of the U.S. record — as they have done all three times the United States has faced its UPR.
