US Refuses UN Human Rights Review for Second Consecutive Time

The United States has again declined to participate in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United Nations, a mechanism that regularly assesses the human rights situation in all 193 UN member states. The review was scheduled for November 10, 2026, in Geneva, but the US delegation was absent. This marks the second consecutive time the US has refused to participate in the review, raising concerns among international organizations about its commitment to human rights.

The International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) has expressed concerns about the US's refusal to participate in the review, calling it a "worrying precedent" for the credibility of the international human rights mechanism. According to ISHR, the US is the first country to miss two consecutive reviews of its human rights record, contradicting the principles of universality, transparency, and equal treatment that guide the process.

The ISHR's executive director, Phil Lynch, emphasized that no state should be exempt from international scrutiny, regardless of its political or economic influence. He highlighted concerns related to US migration policies, LGBT rights, racial discrimination, and civil liberties, including the right to assembly. The organization also mentioned allegations of international law violations related to military operations in the Middle East and deaths attributed to US interventions in the Pacific and Caribbean.

The UN Human Rights Council has decided to postpone the US review until January 2027, in a new attempt to ensure the country's participation. The review was initially scheduled for November 7, 2025, but was rescheduled for November 10, 2026, due to Washington's lack of cooperation. The mechanism allows states to present information on measures taken to protect human rights and receive recommendations from other countries.

The US administration under President Donald Trump announced in 2025 that it would no longer participate in the activities of the UN Human Rights Council, citing criticism of the body's functioning and alleged partiality. The US government claims that the council fails to adequately fulfill its mission to protect human rights. In response to the US's refusal, several civil society organizations have called on UN member states to adopt measures to ensure accountability and transparency.

The Universal Periodic Review is a critical mechanism for promoting human rights and encouraging countries to improve their human rights records. The review process involves a cycle of approximately five years, covering all UN member states. The US's absence from the review process has sparked concerns about its commitment to human rights and its willingness to engage with international mechanisms.

Human rights organizations and experts are urging the US to reconsider its position and participate in the review process. They argue that participation in the UPR is essential for demonstrating a country's commitment to human rights and for promoting transparency and accountability. The US's refusal to participate has raised concerns about its human rights record and its willingness to engage with international human rights mechanisms.

Key points

• The US's refusal to participate in the UN's Universal Periodic Review has sparked concerns about its commitment to human rights.
• The International Service for Human Rights has expressed concerns about the US's refusal, calling it a "worrying precedent" for the credibility of the international human rights mechanism.
• The US's absence from the review process has raised concerns about its human rights record and its willingness to engage with international human rights mechanisms.