has been a protector of human rights abusers

and a cesspool of political bias.

Regrettably, it is now clear that our call for reform

was not heeded.

Therefore, as we said we would do a year ago, if we did not

see any progress, the United States

is officially withdrawing from the Human Rights Council.

In doing so, I want to make it crystal clear

that this step is not a retreat from human rights commitments.

On the contrary, we take this step because our commitment

does not allow us to remain a part of a hypocritical

and self-serving organisation that makes a mockery of human

rights.