US withdraws from UN Human Rights Council
(VOVWORLD) - US President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order withdrawing the US from the Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the UN Reliefs and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and requesting a review of US participation in the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
According to White House official Will Scharf, the order also requests a review of US funding for the UN, citing significant disparities in funding levels among member states. The US is currently the UN's largest financial contributor.
The UN has yet to comment on the action. The US is one of five permanent members of the 15-member UN Security Council, the body primarily responsible for maintaining international peace and security.