US Permanent Representative to the United Nations Nikki Haley (Source: Reuters)

US Permanent Representative to the United Nations Nikki Haley, said the Council is biased against Israel. Ms. Haley said US calls for reform were not heeded, adding that the withdrawal is not a retreat from the US's commitment to human rights.

Following the announcement, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the Secretary General would have much preferred for the US to remain in the Council, which plays a very important role in the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide.

Since 2017, the US has withdrawn from UNESCO, the Paris Climate Accord, and the Iran nuclear deal. Vojislav Suc, president of the UN Human Rights Council, said that the matter of filling the vacancy left in the council membership after the US withdrawal will need to be addressed by the United Nations General Assembly. He said it is up to each state to determine whether they would like to be a member of the Council, adding that the US has been very active in the Council in previous years.