Trump Orders U.S. Withdrawal from Human Rights Council and Cuts Funding to UNRWA
In a move that has drawn both praise and criticism, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday ceasing U.S. engagement with the U.N. Human Rights Council and banning funding for the U.N. relief agency for Gaza.
The order came as the president was set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump expressed his belief that the U.N. has "tremendous potential" but needs to "get its act together." He criticized the Human Rights Council for its bias against Israel and its failure to address human rights abuses in other countries.
The U.S. has long been a major contributor to the U.N. Human Rights Council and UNRWA. However, the Biden administration paused funding to UNRWA after reports that some of its staffers were involved in Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, terror attacks on Israel.
Trump's decision to withdraw from the Human Rights Council and cut funding to UNRWA has been met with mixed reactions. Some have praised the move as a necessary step to address the U.N.'s shortcomings, while others have criticized it as a blow to human rights and humanitarian efforts.
The U.S. is not currently a member of the Human Rights Council, but is considered an observer. The council is made up of 47 member states, including those with documented records of human rights violations, like Cuba, Russia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, China and Qatar.
Meanwhile, an Israeli ban on UNRWA took effect in late January and international staff were forced to leave the country. This move has been criticized by the agency, which predicts it will "sabotage Gaza’s recovery and political transition."
UNRWA is the main agency responsible for distributing aid to Palestinians caught in the midst of Israel’s offensive campaign in Gaza. The U.N. fired nine staffers after an internal probe found they may have been involved in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack.
The future of U.S. involvement with the U.N. Human Rights Council and UNRWA remains uncertain. The Biden administration has not yet announced its plans for these organizations.
12 Comments
Donatello
Trump's decision is a slap in the face to the victims of human rights abuses everywhere.
Michelangelo
Cutting funding to UNRWA is the right thing to do. They've been riddled with corruption and Hamas ties for years.
Raphael
Trump is doing what previous presidents haven't had the courage to do. He's standing up for American interests.
Leonardo
Cutting funding to UNRWA will only worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and increase instability in the region.
Raphael
The UN is not our enemy. We need to work together with them to make the world a better place.
Habibi
Trump's decision is a strong message to the world that the US won't be bullied by the UN anymore. We need more leaders like him.
ZmeeLove
Trump is making a huge mistake by isolating the US from the international community.
Coccinella
Trump's decision is a strong signal that the US is serious about human rights reform within the UN.
Comandante
Cutting funding to UNRWA is a tough decision, but it's necessary to ensure that our aid is going to those who truly need it.
Answer
Let's hope this is the beginning of a new era of American leadership in the world.
The Truth
If the UN wants our support, they need to stop being biased against Israel and start focusing on real human rights issues.
Answer
This is a short-sighted and dangerous decision by Trump. The UN is essential for promoting human rights and resolving global conflicts.