| European Union flags / Reuters |
The European Union says the Trump administration's decision to pull the United States out of the U.N.-backed Human Rights Council ''risks undermining the role of the U.S. as a champion and supporter of democracy on the world stage.''
EU spokeswoman Maia Kocijancic says the 28-member bloc remains ''steadfastly and reliably committed'' to the 47-country Geneva body.
The EU says the United States has ''always been at the forefront'' of protection of human rights and has been a ''strong partner'' of the bloc at the council.
It says it shares the aim to make the council ''more efficient,'' noting this year's 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration was championed in part by former U.S. first lady Eleanor Roosevelt. (AP)