Geneva: The United States has decided not to take part in the United Nations Human Rights Council’s regular review of its human rights record, drawing widespread concern from other countries and human rights organizations.

The review, known as the Universal Periodic Review, is a key process through which all UN member nations report on their human rights situation and receive recommendations from others. The United States informed the council in Geneva that it would not attend its scheduled session this year, saying the UN body needs major reforms and has become politically biased.

Several countries at the meeting expressed disappointment over the U.S. decision and appealed for Washington to return to the process next year. Diplomats noted that the absence of a major power like the United States weakens the credibility of the global human rights system and sets a worrying precedent for other nations.

The American Civil Liberties Union criticized the government’s move, saying it sends the wrong message at a time when the country faces its own human rights challenges. The group pointed to issues such as immigration policies, freedom of expression, and the use of federal forces in domestic protests as examples that need international attention and accountability.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk recently said he was deeply concerned about what he called a “shift in direction” in U.S. human rights policy. He urged the country to renew its engagement with international human rights mechanisms, which have long depended on U.S. participation and leadership.

Observers say the U.S. decision to skip the review reflects a broader shift in its foreign policy stance, with less emphasis on multilateral cooperation. Critics fear this could encourage other nations with poor human rights records to avoid similar scrutiny.

The United Nations has kept the door open for the United States to take part in a rescheduled review next year. However, there has been no official confirmation from Washington about whether it plans to return to the process.

Human rights advocates warn that continued absence from the review would damage U.S. credibility in promoting human rights worldwide and could mark a turning point in its relationship with the UN’s rights institutions.