Rumor Has It…

Reportedly, the Trump administration is considering withdrawing the US from the UN Human Rights Council.

The reported reasons are the council’s treatment of the Jewish state as unfair.  Other reasons include that countries with gross human rights violations are permitted to sit on the council.  President George W. Bush had similar concerns, but President Obama reversed the Bush decision.

That the administration is considering withdrawal is no surprise, but nonetheless is another move with shocking consequences.  One wonders about the integrity behind the concerns.  A strong supporter of long-time ally Israel, Trump’s protest is understandable.  But what is concerning is that US withdrawal would come at a time when human rights are being restricted within our boarders.  The immigration orders and enforcement tactics ignore human rights.  Muhammad Ali, Jr. and his mother were detained at a Florida airport because of their names and reportedly were questioned extensively  about their religion.  A French historian who is a visiting professor at Texas A & M was detained for 10 hours and nearly deported.  President Trump instructed law enforcement to make crimes committed by the undocumented “highly publicized” while at the same time NYT, CNN and others were prevented from attending a briefing with press secretary Spicer.

At the same time, women’s rights and rights of minorities are waning.  Assaults on women, Jews, Muslims, and racial minorities have increased since the inauguration, if not the election. 

Refusal to participate by Pres. Bush did not carry the same veiled threat as does a refusal to participate made by President Trump.  Non-participation at this point removes another possible source of help that might otherwise be available to US citizens who wish to stop the erosion of their human rights.  While withdrawal may be symbolic in many ways, one of those symbols is an ongoing attempt to eliminate human rights in the US.