OREANDA-NEWS. The USA is returning to the UN Human Rights Council. This was announced by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in a video message to the participants of the 46th session of the Council, held in Geneva on Wednesday, February 24. According to him, the United States will apply for membership in the Council for the period from 2022 to 2024. «We humbly ask all UN member states for their support in our quest to return to the Council», Blinken said.

At the same time, he noted, that the new US administration partially shares the criticism of the Council, that was expressed by the previous government under the leadership of Donald Trump. In particular, it is about the Council's unbiased attitude towards Israel. At the same time, the United States is determined to ensure, that the Council's member countries meet «high standards» in the field of human rights.

The UN Human Rights Council in 2006 replaced the UN Commission on Human Rights, which had existed since 1946. The members of the Council are 47 countries, elected by the UN General Assembly for three years. This countries are not eligible for immediate re-election after two consecutive terms of office. Currently, the Council includes Russia, China, Germany and others.

The United States announced it's withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council in 2018. Trump criticized this intergovernmental authority for it's attitude towards Israel and the lack of reforms.