EU laments US decision to leave UN rights body

BRUSSELS, June 20 (KUNA) -- The European Union (EU) warned Wednesday that the decision by the United States, announced yesterday, to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council would undermine the US role as a champion of democracy.
The decision "risks undermining the role of the US as a champion and supporter of democracy on the world stage," said Maja Kocijancic, spokesperson for EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, in a statement.
"For its part, the European Union remains steadfastly and reliably committed to the Human Rights Council as the United Nations' main body for upholding human rights and fundamental freedoms worldwide," said the statement.
"We reaffirm our support to the effective and efficient functioning of the Human Rights Council and remain committed to cooperating with all countries and with civil society in order to strengthen the Council, while protecting its achievements," it noted.
It further stressed that the EU is and will continue to be a staunch supporter of multilateralism and the wider UN system.
"We will remain fully engaged and committed to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of which we this year proudly celebrate the 70th anniversary, and whose values and principles are inseparable from those of the European Union itself," it noted. (end) nk.hb