The United States delegation on Monday staged a walkout from a United Nations Security Council meeting after France accused Washington of aligning with authoritarian countries over a recent human rights vote.
The dispute began last week when the US voted alongside North Korea and Russia against extending Volker Turk’s tenure as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Following Friday’s vote, France’s UN mission criticised the decision and drew comparisons between the US and countries known for poor human rights records.
“The US used to be a beacon of human rights. Not anymore,” the French mission wrote on X.
Responding to the criticism, US Ambassador Mike Waltz accused France of supporting a human rights commissioner who, according to him, had been “lecturing” democratic nations while “cozying up to the world’s worst oppressors”.
Turk has previously criticised Russia over its invasion of Ukraine and raised concerns about Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
The US delegation’s protest took place during an emergency Security Council session on Russia’s war in Ukraine, as France’s Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont was delivering remarks.
US Ambassador Dan Negrea said Washington would continue similar actions unless France changes what he described as “condescending and disrespectful rhetoric”.
The controversy followed the General Assembly’s decision to renew Turk’s appointment, with 144 countries voting in favour, 10 voting against and 13 abstaining.
The vote has further highlighted growing tensions between the Trump administration and the United Nations. The administration has reduced funding for several UN agencies and withdrawn from multiple international bodies.
Earlier on Friday, US Ambassador Jeff Bartos criticised Turk’s reappointment, warning that Washington would review its relationship with the organisation.
“The United States will immediately reassess our engagement, participation, and funding,” Bartos said, while accusing the UN of allowing “procedural overreach, backroom deals, and the misuse of UN posts”.
France, however, defended Turk’s record, with Bonnafont describing him as “a voice of conscience” who showed “rigor and impartiality” during his first term.
UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq declined to comment directly on the US walkout but said the organisation expects all member states to respect General Assembly decisions.
