The United States has notably failed to appear at the United
Nations’ Universal Periodic Review (UPR) scheduled for November 2025, marking
the first time a UN member state has withdrawn from this important human rights
review process. This decision has drawn widespread attention and concern from
human rights groups and international officials.
The United States Misses UN Human Rights Review Session
As reported by Emma F and Olivia Poide of Reuters, the
United Nations assembly to review the human rights practices of the United States commenced on Friday, November 7, 2025, without any representation from
the U.S. This absence was unusual as attendance is mandatory under the
Universal Periodic Review framework, which assesses human rights records of all
193 UN member states every four to five years. The review provides a platform
for states and human rights advocates to evaluate records and offer
recommendations for improvements. The United States' no-show has prompted
expressions of concern about its diminished engagement in global human rights
matters.
Background on Universal Periodic Review and US Participation
The Universal Periodic Review was established by the UN
Human Rights Council in 2006 as a cyclical process designed to hold member
states accountable for their human rights records, encouraging dialogue,
cooperation, and improvement. Historically, all UN member states have
participated fully. However, information provided by Juliette de Rivero of the
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Office revealed that the USA officially
withdrew its participation for this cycle during a pre-session meeting in
Geneva on August 28, 2025.
The U.S. government's decision to withdraw comes amid a
backdrop of previous engagements: even during President Donald Trump's first
term in office, when the U.S. left the Human Rights Council, it still submitted
reports for this process. The current withdrawal is unprecedented, as no
country has ever refused to participate in its own UPR before.
Statements from US Officials and Human Rights Advocates
A spokesperson from the U.S. State Department told Reuters
that the U.S. takes pride in its human rights legacy and declines to accept
criticism from members of the Human Rights Council such as Venezuela, China, or
Sudan. The official further explained that participating in the UPR implies
endorsing the Human Rights Council's mandate and operations despite its failure
to address severe human rights violations by other member countries. The U.S.
will neither submit a report nor participate in the November session, joining
13 other nations scheduled for review this cycle that have committed to the
forum.
Conversely, Amnesty International characterised the U.S.
absence as a “renunciation of responsibility," pointing to contentious
policies enacted during the Trump administration, including migrant deportation
flights and rollbacks of LGBTQ rights, as critical subjects documented in the
UN report. The organisation and other human rights advocates like The Advocates
for Human Rights expressed strong disappointment over the U.S. failure to
engage. Jennifer Prestholdt, Interim Co-Executive Director at The Advocates for
Human Rights, urged the United States to submit its report immediately and
reaffirm its commitment to universal human rights standards.
International and Institutional Reactions
European Parliament representatives and human rights
officials also voiced concerns over the US withdrawal. Officials described the
decision as a "worrying retreat" from Washington's role in global
human rights and justice efforts. They asserted that the move sends a troubling
signal at a time when international cooperation on rights issues is vital. The
U.S. pullout from the Human Rights Council and its failure to participate in
the UPR process were cited as examples of reduced US engagement with
multilateral human rights mechanisms.
Despite the government’s absence, American human rights
advocates did participate in the pre-session meetings in Geneva, highlighting
ongoing human rights challenges in the United States, including food rights,
climate change, poverty, LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive health, racism,
immigration, and freedoms of civil society.
The Future of US Engagement With the UPR
With the current cycle concluding in July 2027, US officials have not indicated any intention of submitting their report before then. This marks a departure from the practice of prior administrations that consistently engaged with the UPR process, submitting reports and commenting on others' reviews. The lack of US participation raises questions about the country's international human rights accountability and its role within the UN human rights framework.
The UPR is a peer review mechanism that offers an interactive discourse between the member state under review and all other UN member countries. It employs reports submitted by the state itself, UN human rights experts, and civil society stakeholders to assess human rights progress and challenges. The process aims to encourage improvements in human rights worldwide through dialogue, cooperation, and shared best practices.
The United States' decision to abstain from the Universal Periodic Review in November 2025 constitutes a historic first for a UN member state, eliciting concerns from human rights organisations and international bodies alike. The move reflects broader tensions regarding the US' participation in multilateral human rights institutions under the current administration, drawing attention to the implications for global human rights accountability.