The United States delegation walked out of a United Nations Security Council meeting after France criticised Washington’s opposition to extending the mandate of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, exposing growing tensions between the two allies over human rights and the UN’s role.
The dispute began after the US voted alongside Russia and North Korea against renewing Türk’s tenure.
Despite the opposition, the UN General Assembly approved his reappointment, with 144 member states voting in favour, 10 against and 13 abstaining.
Following the vote, France’s mission to the UN in Geneva criticised Washington’s stance, saying the United States had once been “a beacon of human rights” but no longer deserved that reputation.
The remarks prompted a strong response from US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz, who accused France of supporting a UN official he claimed had criticised democratic nations while showing leniency towards authoritarian governments.
Türk has previously condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and criticised Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, positions that have attracted both praise and criticism from UN member states.
The diplomatic row escalated during an emergency Security Council session on the war in Ukraine, when the US delegation left the chamber as French representatives addressed the council.
Senior US official Dan Negrea defended the walkout, saying Washington would continue taking similar action until France abandoned what he described as “condescending and disrespectful rhetoric.”
The latest dispute comes amid broader strains between Washington and the United Nations.
In recent months, the US has reduced funding to several UN agencies and withdrawn from a number of UN bodies.
US Ambassador Jeff Bartos also criticised Türk’s reappointment, warning that Washington would review its engagement with the UN over what he described as procedural overreach.
“The United States will immediately reassess our engagement, participation, and funding,” Bartos said.
France’s UN Ambassador, Jérôme Bonnafont, defended Türk’s record, describing him as “a voice of conscience” who had demonstrated “rigour and impartiality” throughout his first term.
Deputy UN spokesperson Farhan Haq declined to comment on the US walkout but said the organisation expected all member states to respect decisions taken by the General Assembly.
