The United States announced in August 2025 its decision not to participate in the upcoming Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in November 2025. This move follows President Donald Trump's February 2025 executive order to disengage from the UN Human Rights Council, a stance reminiscent of the administration's 2018 withdrawal from the Council itself.
A State Department spokesperson stated that the withdrawal is due to the UN Human Rights Council's consistent failure to condemn nations with significant human rights abuses, citing China and Cuba as examples. The spokesperson added that participating in the UPR would imply an endorsement of the Council's mandate, which the U.S. views as compromised by its inaction against human rights violators.
The Universal Periodic Review, established in 2006 by the UN Human Rights Council, is a process where all 193 UN member states are reviewed every 4.5 to 5 years. The U.S. has participated in three cycles, with its last review in November 2020. The UPR mechanism aims to ensure equal treatment for all countries in assessing their human rights situations and to foster the sharing of best practices.
The decision has drawn criticism from human rights organizations. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) stated that this action places the U.S. among nations with poor human rights records and sets a detrimental precedent that could embolden authoritarian regimes. PEN America characterized the withdrawal as a significant retreat from U.S. commitments to free expression and human rights, potentially undermining global human rights advocacy.
The U.S. has had a complex history with the UN Human Rights Council. Initially opposing its establishment in 2006 due to concerns about politicization and membership, the U.S. joined in 2009 under the Obama administration. The Trump administration's previous withdrawal in 2018 was also attributed to similar concerns, particularly regarding perceived bias against Israel and insufficient action against human rights abusers.
This latest withdrawal raises questions about the U.S.'s commitment to international human rights standards and its role in global human rights discourse, highlighting ongoing debates about the effectiveness and fairness of international human rights frameworks.