US skips human rights review by UN body as countries appeal for its return next year

Source: ABC News/AP

November 7, 2025, 2:25 PM


GENEVA -- The United States on Friday snubbed a review of its human rights record by a United Nations body on orders of the Trump administration, which has turned its back on the Human Rights Council.

To the chagrin of U.S. allies and rights advocates alike, the U.S. seat sat empty as the council president sought input from the United States — once a stalwart participant and defender of human rights worldwide — as it came up for its turn part of regular review of all U.N. member states.

Council members expressed regret that the United States didn't take part, called on the council president to urge the U.S. to resume its cooperation, and moved to reschedule the U.S. review next year: Such a review can't take place without the “concerned country” taking part. Honduras faced its review earlier in the day Friday.

There's no indication whether the Trump administration would take part next year either. The U.S. already announced in September that it would sit out Friday's review.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/us-skips-human-rights-review-body-countries-appeal-127310419