World Insights: The empty chair at the Palais des Nations

It was unprecedented for a state to both skip its report and refuse to attend its review. Washington's selective participation and double standards in multilateral human rights affairs have drawn increasing scrutiny in recent years.

GENEVA, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- At the Palais des Nations in Geneva, tension filled the air on Friday when Jurg Lauber, president of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and Switzerland's permanent representative to the UN Office at Geneva, announced that the fourth round of Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United States could not proceed as scheduled.

One corner of the assembly hall drew particular attention: the seat reserved for the U.S. representative stood empty. Cameras turned toward the vacant chair, capturing what many saw as a historic moment.

The UPR is a key UN mechanism where all member states conduct candid, equal exchanges on human rights issues and seek constructive dialogue and cooperation. Speaking on behalf of the European Union, Cyprus's representative called the UPR a unique and vital instrument for advancing human rights globally, precisely because of its universal nature. The EU expressed regret that the United States chose not to take part.

The U.S. government informed the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in August that it would not join this review cycle -- a unilateral decision that quickly drew criticism.

Jamil Dakwar, director of the human rights program at the American Civil Liberties Union, called the move "a chilling attempt to evade accountability," warning it was "setting a terrible precedent."

In the absence of the U.S. delegation, the interactive dialogue could not proceed. Lauber announced that he had submitted a draft decision to the Council expressing regret over Washington's refusal and urging it to resume cooperation. The Council's 47 member states adopted the draft by consensus.

Under procedural rules, all states up for review in November were required to submit a national report by August, outlining progress and challenges in meeting human rights obligations. The United States failed to do so.

Tang Yingxia, deputy director of the Center for the Study of Human Rights at Nankai University, noted that while some countries had previously postponed submissions or delayed reviews, it was unprecedented for a state to both skip its report and refuse to attend its review.

Observers said the U.S. absence reflected a broader trend. Washington's selective participation and double standards in multilateral human rights affairs have drawn increasing scrutiny in recent years.

David Lopez, a consultant from the International Association for Human Rights and Social Development who monitors UN human rights mechanisms in Geneva, said the United States portrays itself as a "defender of democracy and human rights," yet its record on treaty ratification, compliance with international mechanisms and foreign policy shows a clear gap between words and deeds.

A report by the Council on Foreign Relations described Washington's move as "abrupt and unprecedented," raising doubts about its commitment to the UPR principle and the broader human rights framework.

Earlier this year, more than 60 UN independent experts issued a joint statement criticizing actions by the Donald Trump administration that they said weakened domestic human rights protections and undermined international mechanisms. They cited the U.S. withdrawal from the UNHRC and the World Health Organization, as well as sanctions against the International Criminal Court and its personnel, as examples with serious impacts.

At a civil event in Geneva on Nov. 7, former UN independent expert Alfred de Zayas questioned the U.S. stance of placing itself "above international law, above the UN Charter, above the Human Rights Council," warning of its far-reaching implications.

Nadia Ben-Youssef, advocacy director for the Center for Constitutional Rights, called the U.S. absence "egregious," as it threatened prospects for a world order based on equality, justice and accountability.

"We must resist with everything we have," she said.■