The US government has recently announced its withdrawal from participation in 66 international organizations and treaties. This unprecedented move, which follows the recent US attack on Venezuela, has raised serious concerns among experts regarding the future of international protections for war victims, particularly women and children. But what exactly are these 66 organizations, and why does the US withdrawal from them matter? Let’s break this down simply.
From Supporting Rape Victims to Preventing the Use of Child Soldiers
Among the lengthy list of organizations the US will no longer participate in are several key UN bodies that play a vital role in protecting the most vulnerable individuals in conflicts. The most important of these include:
- The Office of the UN Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict: This office prepares detailed reports on the situation of children used as soldiers or victims of violence in armed conflicts. These reports can lead to sanctions against offending individuals or groups, and even their prosecution in international courts.
- The Office of the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict: This body operates similarly to the previous one but focuses on sexual violence used as a weapon of war. Its task is to document, warn against, and help prevent these crimes.
- The UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women): Established in 2010, this body works to promote women’s rights and help them thrive worldwide. More than half of its budget is spent on empowering women in war-torn societies and combating violence against women and girls.
Added to these are bodies like the UN Peacebuilding Commission, which is tasked with helping war-torn countries return to stability and prevent a relapse into conflict.
But What Does This Withdrawal Mean for the World?
Experts say that the financial impact of this withdrawal might not be very significant in the short term, as many of these bodies receive little funding from the US. However, the political and symbolic consequences are far more profound.
- Weakening Justice and Accountability: Without US participation and political support, international pressure on countries that use child soldiers or fuel wartime sexual violence will diminish. This means less support for victims and a reduced chance of punishing the perpetrators of these crimes.
- Isolation of the US and Opportunity for Rivals: Many analysts believe that the empty US chair at these tables will lead to further isolation of the country on the international stage. In contrast, nations like China can fill this void and increase their influence within international institutions.
- A Blow to Years of Progress: Bodies like UN Women are the result of years of effort by the international community to recognize the rights of women and children. Weakening them could jeopardize the progress made in these areas.
A Hostile Approach or a Chance for Survival?
The US government has justified these withdrawals as being in line with its national interests, claiming that some bodies act against US interests. Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, recently criticized UN Women, stating that the body has failed in its definition of a woman’s identity.
Interestingly, some experts believe that in the short term, the absence of the US in these bodies might provide an opportunity for them to act more independently, as they no longer need to align themselves with Washington’s demands. However, the main concern is for the long term; the absence of support from the world’s largest power could gradually weaken these bodies politically and financially.
Recent statements from US officials have a worrying tone. Marco Rubio has announced that the review of other institutions is ongoing, and a recent State Department statement to the UN was summarized with the phrase: “Either move in the direction of US interests, or be destroyed.”
The US has also voted against numerous human rights resolutions in the UN General Assembly, including the resolution on the rights of the child, and has refused to participate in the Universal Periodic Review process, which examines the human rights situation in all countries. If the US does not participate in the upcoming session of this body in November 2026, it will be the first country to undermine this important accountability mechanism.
The US withdrawal from these bodies, while perhaps appearing at first glance to be an administrative and political decision, casts a shadow directly over the lives of women subjected to violence in war zones and children separated from their families and sent to fight with guns. Now, the international community is being tested on its loyalty to the principles of human rights. But expecting support for war victims from the same America that rained bombs on the children of Gaza is, in itself, a form of naivety.
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