US envoy to the United Nations Nikki Haley defended the Donald Trump's administration's decision to withdraw from it saying the UN has provided cover for the world's most inhumane regimes.
"More often, the Human Rights Council has provided cover, not condemnation, for the world's most inhumane regimes. It has been a bully pulpit for human rights violators," Haley said, according to news agency PTI.
Haley alleged that the UN body has ignored the misery inflicted by regimes in Venezuela, Cuba, Zimbabwe and China. "Judged by how far it has fallen short of its promise, the Human Rights Council is the United Nations' greatest failure," Haley said.
"It has taken the idea of human dignity – the idea that is at the center of our national creed and the birthright of every human being – and it has reduced it to just another instrument of international politics. And that is a great tragedy," Haley said.
Last month, the US withdrew from the UN Human Rights Council accusing it of "chronic bias" against Israel.
"We take this step because our commitment does not allow us to remain a part of a hypocritical and self-serving organisation that makes a mockery of human rights," Haley said at the time.
Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein, the UN high commissioner for human rights, called the announcement "disappointing, if not really surprising". "Given the state of human rights in today's world, the US should be stepping up, not stepping back," he added.
The move was appreciated by Israel, a major ally of the US. Israel called the Trump administration's decision a "courageous" move.
Mark Easton
And , Sue Baker OBE
