Biden govt opts out of running for re-election on UN Human Rights Council

The Biden administration has decided not to seek a second consecutive term on the much-maligned UN Human Rights Council, the State Department said Monday.

The administration had made US membership on the Geneva-based council a priority when it took office in 2021 after former President Donald Trump had withdrawn from the body, citing anti-Israel bias. Since returning to the council, the administration has frequently taken issue with its votes on the Middle East and other issues.

"We decided not to seek another (term) on the Human Rights Council at this time because we are engaged with our allies about the best way to move forward," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.

Elections for the 47-member council are held by the UN General Assembly with candidate countries coming from various geographic groups. The three other candidates -- Iceland, Spain and Switzerland -- from the US geographic group known as Western Hemisphere and Others, or WEOG, would be able to ...