The United States has failed to appear for its United Nations Universal Periodic Review for the second time, marking an unprecedented refusal to engage with the international human rights monitoring process. The UN Human Rights Council has officially recorded the country’s “continued noncooperation” and deferred the evaluation until January 2027.
US misses second review date
The United States was originally slated for its fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on 7 November 2025. When the government did not attend that session, it became the first nation to skip a scheduled UPR Working Group meeting. The UN Human Rights Council rescheduled the event for its 53rd session, which took place from 2–13 November 2026. On 10 November 2026, the US again failed to participate, according to [Equality Now].
UN council records noncooperation
Following the second absence, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a formal decision regarding the US’s continued noncooperation with the process. The council has now deferred the evaluation to a new date in January 2027. The UPR, which was established in 2006, operates on a 4.5-year cycle where UN Member States examine the human rights records of all 193 member nations.
On November 10 under Trump, the United States failed for the second time to participate in its UN Universal Periodic Review, setting a troubling and unprecedented record in the UPR’s nearly 20-year history. UN member states should ensure there are consequences for this persistent…
Civil society seeks accountability
Groups including the [US End FGM/C Network], Unchained At Last, and The ERA Coalition have submitted evidence highlighting specific areas of concern. These organizations argue that the review process is a critical tool for monitoring progress on human rights obligations, such as constitutional sex equality and the prevention of child marriage.
“We further urge participating governments to nevertheless make recommendations to the US in absentia to establish a clear record,” Equality Now said in its [updated submission].
Impact on human rights advocacy
The review was originally scheduled to occur just one week after the 3 November 2026 midterm elections. Advocates intended to use the resulting recommendations to engage with newly elected representatives regarding gaps in legal protections. Because the US did not participate, the opportunity to integrate international human rights standards into the domestic political conversation has been postponed.
The United States is set to skip its UN Universal Periodic Review for the second consecutive year, refusing to participate in an international examination of its human rights record. Washington says the Human Rights Council is biased, while rights organisations warn that the… pic.twitter.com/HfswLR8YaL
Frequently asked questions about the UPR
What is the purpose of the UPR?
The UPR is a peer-to-peer mechanism where UN Member States provide recommendations for improving human rights protections. While the process cannot legally compel a government to change its laws, it creates a public record of human rights obligations and provides a framework for ongoing advocacy.
Can the US be forced to participate?
The UPR relies on the cooperation of Member States. While the UN Human Rights Council has formally noted the US’s noncooperation, it lacks the authority to force a country to appear. Equality Now has called on the President of the Human Rights Council and other Member States to take further action to press for US compliance before the January 2027 session.
The United States now has the shameful distinction of becoming the first country to avoid participating in all stages of the UN's Universal Periodic Review peer-review process. Since its inception twenty years ago, the UPR has become a cornerstone of international oversight and… pic.twitter.com/eVmkg7cdBv
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