US, Israel skip UN Human Rights Council session opening

For the first time, the United States did not send any representatives to the opening of the high-level session of the UN Human Rights Council.

This marks a notable absence at the commencement of the 58th session on February 24, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

The seat traditionally allocated to the US delegation remained empty throughout the opening of the high-level week, an unprecedented occurrence.

The Israeli delegation also failed to attend the session. The vacant seat for the US delegation was positioned between the Russian and Palestinian delegations.

UN Human Rights Council spokesperson Pascal Sim confirmed that the US seat was reserved in case the delegation chose to return later in the proceedings.

The absence of US and Israeli delegations at the opening of the UN Human Rights Council's high-level session follows previous statements from both countries about their intentions to withdraw from the Council.

US President Donald Trump had announced plans to exit the UN Human Rights Council, with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar making a similar declaration.

However, UN Human Rights Council spokesperson Pascal Sim clarified that neither the US nor Israel can officially "leave" the Council, as they are not full members of the body. 

By Vafa Guliyeva