CSU Evaluating US Engagement with the UNHRC Discussion

Overview: In this module, we have examined the development since the end of WW2 of a UN-centric web of human rights treaties and institutions charged with furthering international humanitarian and human rights law.   The UNHRC is arguably the most well known of these institutions that emerged from the UN Charter itself.

Both the Trump and Biden Administrations have expressed concern about various aspects of the UN Human Rights Council, yet the two administrations have adopted markedly different approaches toward the UNHRC.

Instructions: Respond to the following prompt:

Submit an initial post to the Discussion Board in which you assess which Administration’s (Trump’s or Biden’s) approach to membership in the UNHRC better advances U.S. national interests and values, international human rights and humanitarian law, and the cause of human rights around the globe.  Please also include in your assessment reference to at least one recent (since 2018) real world example that illustrates how the U.S.’s presence in or absence from the UNHRC has impacted (or could impact) a human rights challenge abroad. 

Write at least one substantive response to your colleagues’ posts, agreeing or disagreeing with their positions and/or arguments. Justify your arguments.