By Joke Kujenya
THE UNITED States has formally withdrawn from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and ceased participation in the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), citing concerns over bias and mismanagement.
The move, announced on Tuesday through an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, reinforces long-standing U.S. criticism of the UN’s handling of global human rights issues and aid programmes.
Trump’s executive order also directs a review of U.S. involvement in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which oversees cultural and historical preservation initiatives.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump accused the UN of failing to meet its potential.
“There are great hopes for it, but it’s not being well-run,” he said.
The decision comes amid growing tensions over UNRWA’s role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The U.S. had previously suspended funding for the agency in 2018, and in January 2024, the Biden administration blocked further funds after allegations surfaced that some UNRWA staff members participated in the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
The UN denies these claims, stating that a full investigation is ongoing.
Israel has long accused both UNRWA and the Human Rights Council of systemic bias, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labelling UNRWA’s operations as a means to “erase Jewish history” and arguing that the Human Rights Council unfairly targets Israel.
A recent Israeli law, enacted in late January, bans UNRWA from operating within the country.
Trump’s move mirrors his previous actions in 2018, when he withdrew the U.S. from the Human Rights Council over similar concerns.
During his announcement on Tuesday, he reiterated that the UN must undergo reforms, stressing that the organization should focus on resolving conflicts rather than exacerbating them.
While UN Secretary-General António Guterres has defended the role of UNRWA and the Human Rights Council, Washington’s decision signals a broader shift in U.S. foreign policy regarding international bodies. A review of UNESCO funding will also assess what Trump described as “radical or anti-American sentiment” within the organization.
Trump’s executive order instructs Secretary of State Marco Rubio to evaluate U.S. contributions to international organizations, highlighting disparities in funding levels. The U.S. remains the largest financial contributor to the UN, responsible for 22% of its core budget and 27% of peacekeeping funds.
Meanwhile, UNRWA Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, has denounced what he calls a “fierce disinformation campaign” against the agency. UNRWA, which provides humanitarian aid, healthcare, and education to millions of Palestinians across Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan, now faces significant funding shortages.
The U.S. Congress would formally suspend contributions to UNRWA until at least March 2025.
The Human Rights Council, which the U.S. previously left under Trump in 2018, continues to draw criticism from Washington.
The U.S. says that the Geneva-based body has no legally binding authority but plays a role in shaping global human rights policies.
The U.S. had rejoined the Council for a 2022–2024 term under Biden, but Trump’s latest order ends that engagement.
Trump’s directive stresses his administration’s longstanding scepticism toward the UN and international institutions with his latest order reaffirming the U.S. stance that reforms are necessary before any future cooperation can be considered.
FULL TEXT OF THE EXECUTIVE ORDER:
ENDING U.S. SUPPORT FOR RADICAL ANTI-AMERICAN UN ORGANIZATIONS: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order withdrawing the United States from the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and prohibiting any future funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for the Near East (UNRWA).
- The Executive Order also requires the Secretary of State to review and report to the President on which international organizations, conventions, or treaties promote radical or anti-American sentiment.
- The UN Educational, Science, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in particular, will undergo a review under an expedited timeline due to its history of anti-Israel bias.
- The Executive Order will prohibit the United States from providing any additional funding to UNRWA, which has consistently shown itself to be anti-Semitic and anti-Israel, as evidenced by the number of its staff members who took part in the horrific October 7th terrorist attacks against Israel.
- UNRWA facilities have repeatedly been used by Hamas and other terrorist groups to store weapons and build tunnels.
STANDING UP FOR HUMAN RIGHTS: The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has not fulfilled its purpose and continues to be used as a protective body for countries committing horrific human rights violations.
- The UNHRC has demonstrated consistent bias against Israel, focusing on it unfairly and disproportionately in council proceedings.
- In 2018, the year President Trump withdrew from the UNHRC in his first administration, the organization passed more resolutions condemning Israel than Syria, Iran, and North Korea combined.
BUILDING ON PAST SUCCESS: During his first administration, President Trump stopped funding the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and withdrew the United States from the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the UN Educational, Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
- President Trump in 2017: “The United Nations must reform if it is to be an effective partner in confronting threats to sovereignty, security, and prosperity.”
- After the U.S. withdrew from UNESCO, the organization took steps to improve its relationship with Israel.
- President Trump successfully stopped U.S. funding to UNRWA during his first administration. The Biden Administration initially resumed funding until being forced to confront UNRWA’s corruption after the October 7th attacks, and President Trump is once again taking action to stand up for human rights by withdrawing the United States from this corrupt organization for good.
