The United States staged a walkout at a United Nations Security Council meeting after France criticised Washington’s human rights record, escalating diplomatic tensions between the two allies.
The protest took place on Monday as France’s ambassador to the United Nations, Jérôme Bonnafont, addressed an emergency Security Council session on Russia’s war in Ukraine. The US delegation exited the chamber in response to France’s criticism of Washington’s recent voting record on human rights.
The dispute followed last week’s vote on extending the mandate of Volker Türk as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The United States joined Russia and North Korea in voting against his reappointment, a decision that drew sharp criticism from France.
Following the vote, France’s UN mission accused Washington of abandoning its long-standing leadership on human rights, saying on X that the United States had once been “a beacon of human rights” but no longer merited that description.
US Ambassador Mike Waltz dismissed the criticism, arguing that Türk had spent his first term criticising democratic nations while failing to confront some of the world’s most oppressive governments. He did not specify which countries he was referring to.
Turk has been a vocal critic of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has repeatedly expressed concern over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
US Ambassador Dan Negrea defended the walkout, saying Washington would continue staging similar protests until France withdrew what he described as its “condescending and disrespectful rhetoric.”
Despite US opposition, the UN General Assembly approved Türk’s second term by a vote of 144 in favour, with 10 countries voting against and 13 abstaining.
The dispute underscores broader tensions between Washington and the United Nations under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has reduced funding for several UN agencies and withdrawn from multiple UN bodies.
Speaking after Friday’s vote, US Ambassador Jeff Bartos criticised the process that secured Türk’s reappointment, warning that the United States would reassess its participation, engagement and financial support for UN institutions.
France, however, defended Türk’s record, with Ambassador Bonnafont describing him as “a voice of conscience” who had carried out his responsibilities with fairness and impartiality throughout his first term.
The United Nations declined to comment directly on the US protest, with Deputy UN spokesperson Farhan Haq saying only that the organisation expects all member states to respect decisions adopted by the General Assembly.
Goodness Anunobi
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