OREANDA-NEWS. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Monday, February 8, will announce the country's return to the UN Human Rights Council as an observer. This was reported to the AP news agency by a senior official of the United States State Department, who wished to remain anonymous. According to him, Washington believes, that returning to the Council is the most effective way for it's reform and development.

«We know, that the Council has the potential to become an important platform for combating tyranny and injustice in the world», the State Department official said. According to him, the United States expects it's presence to contribute to the realization of this potential.

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

The Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body of the United Nations system, composed of 47 States responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the world. The Council is responsible for discussing all thematic issues and situations in the field of human rights, that require it's attention throughout the year. Meetings of the Human Rights Council are held at the UN Office in Geneva.