Submitted by: LI vice president Abir al-Sahlani and vice-president (Macedonia) Emil Kirjas

Recognising that:

The UN Human Rights Council was established in 2006 with the aim of promoting and protecting human rights around the globe, as well as investigating alleged human rights violations.

The UNHRC composition of 47 member states, selected by the UN General Assembly on a staggered basis each year for three-year-long terms, is not ideal and

The UNHRC meets three times a year to debate human rights issues and pass non-binding resolutions and recommendations by majority vote

The importance that UNHRC allows civil society groups to bring accusations of human rights violations in member states to the attention of the UN.

LI has become an active contributor to the debates of the UNHRC presenting oral and written statements on wide range of issues.

The LI Executive Committee in Berlin:

Is alarmed by the latest decisions of the US administration with regards to Human Rights which risk undermining the role of the US as a champion and supporter of democracy on the world stage

Expresses concern over the US attempts to discredit the UNHRC’s work and impact.

Calls on the US to revise its decision to withdraw from membership in UNHRC