Q&A on the Loss of the U.S. Seat on the U.N. Commission on Human Rights

On May 3, the United States failed to win re-election to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. This is the first time since the founding of the Commission in 1947 that the United States will not have a seat on it. The vote reflected both a growing effort by human rights abusers to shield themselves from criticism, as well as frustration on the part of U.S. allies with America's unwillingness to support international institutions and treaties.