ACLU Comment on U.S. Plans to Withdraw from U.N. Human Rights Council

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is reportedly planning to withdraw from the U.N. Human Rights Council today.

Jamil Dakwar, director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Human Rights Program, issued the following statement in response:

“The Trump administration’s withdrawal from the U.N. Human Rights Council, coupled with its abusive use of power at home, only confirm what we’ve always known — Trump is leading a concerted, aggressive effort to violate basic human rights of those who are most in need of protection while at the same time undermining the legitimacy of international bodies that are in charge of holding all governments accountable. His misguided policy of isolationism only harms American interests and betrays our values as a nation.

“We’ll continue to fight in courts to hold the Trump administration accountable to international law and the Constitution, and call on Congress and U.N. member states to do the same. Only once we get our own house in order and make human rights at home a priority can we begin to credibly demand the same of other countries abroad.”