US poised to announce exit from UN human rights council

Source: KGNS.tv

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is poised to announce its departure from the United Nations' main human rights body in its latest withdrawal from an international institution.

Officials say Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley will deliver the verdict on the U.N. Human Rights Council in a joint appearance at the State Department on Tuesday. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly preview the decision.

Haley threatened the pull-out last year, citing longstanding U.S. complaints that the 47-member council is biased against Israel. But Tuesday's announcement also comes just a day after the U.N. human rights chief denounced the Trump administration for separating migrant children from their parents.

It also extends a broader Trump administration pattern of stepping back from international agreements and forums under the president's "America First" policy.

Since taking office, the administration has announced its withdrawal from the Paris climate accord, the U.N. educational and cultural organization and the Iran nuclear deal. Other contentious moves have included slapping tariffs on steel and aluminum against key trading partners, recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and moving the U.S. Embassy to the holy city from Tel Aviv.

Read more: http://www.kgns.tv/content/news/US-poised-to-announce-exit-from-UN-human-rights-council-485938901.html