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The United States delegation has walked out of a United Nations Security Council meeting after France criticised Washington’s vote against extending the tenure of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, deepening tensions between the two allies over the role of the global body.
The diplomatic dispute began after the US voted alongside North Korea and Russia against renewing Türk’s mandate. The decision was later approved by the UN General Assembly, with 144 countries voting in favour, 10 against and 13 abstaining.
Following the vote, France’s UN Mission in Geneva criticised Washington’s position, saying: “The US used to be a beacon of human rights. Not anymore.”
The comment drew a sharp response from US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz, who accused France of backing a UN official who had been “lecturing” democratic countries while “cozying up to the world’s worst oppressors.”
Türk has previously criticised Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s conduct during the war in Gaza, positions that have drawn both support and opposition from member states.
The US delegation’s walkout occurred during an emergency Security Council meeting on Russia’s war in Ukraine, as French representatives were addressing the council.
Senior US official Dan Negrea defended the move, saying Washington would continue taking similar actions until France “renounces their condescending and disrespectful rhetoric.”
The disagreement reflects broader tensions between the US and the United Nations. Washington has reduced funding for several UN agencies and withdrawn from multiple UN bodies in recent months.
US Ambassador Jeff Bartos criticised Türk’s reappointment, warning that there would be “consequences” for what he described as procedural overreach and misuse of UN positions.
“The United States will immediately reassess our engagement, participation, and funding,” Bartos said.
France’s UN Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont defended Türk’s record, describing him as “a voice of conscience” who had shown “rigor and impartiality” during his first term.
Deputy UN spokesperson Farhan Haq declined to comment directly on the walkout but said the organisation expected all member states to respect the decisions of the General Assembly.
