The United States staged a walkout during a United Nations Security Council meeting on Monday in protest over remarks made by France comparing Washington’s stance on human rights to that of authoritarian governments.
The diplomatic protest took place during an emergency Security Council session on Russia’s war in Ukraine, as France’s Ambassador to the UN, Jérôme Bonnafont, addressed the council. Members of the US delegation left the chamber while Bonnafont was speaking, marking a sharp escalation in tensions between the two longtime allies.
The dispute stems from a vote at the UN General Assembly last week on the reappointment of Volker Türk as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The United States joined Russia and North Korea in voting against extending Türk’s mandate, while 144 member states voted in favour. Ten countries voted against the extension, and 13 abstained.
Following the vote, France sharply criticised the United States in a post on X, formerly Twitter, saying Washington had voted alongside Russia and North Korea.
“The US used to be a beacon of human rights. Not anymore,” France’s UN mission wrote.
The comment drew a swift response from senior US officials.
US Ambassador Mike Waltz accused France of supporting a human rights chief who had spent his first term “lecturing” democratic nations while “cozying up to the world’s worst oppressors.” He did not elaborate on the accusation.
Volker Türk has frequently spoken out on major global conflicts, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s military operations in Gaza, drawing both praise and criticism from different governments.
Explaining Monday’s walkout, US Ambassador Dan Negrea said the protest was intended to send a clear message to France over what Washington described as disrespectful rhetoric.
“We will continue to make similar protests until France renounces its condescending and disrespectful rhetoric,” Negrea said.
The disagreement reflects broader strains between the Trump administration and the United Nations.
Since returning to office, President Donald Trump’s administration has reduced funding for several UN agencies and withdrawn from multiple UN bodies, arguing that the organisation has become increasingly politicised and ineffective.
Following Friday’s vote, US Ambassador Jeff Bartos warned that Washington would reconsider its relationship with the UN.
“There will be consequences,” Bartos said, accusing the General Assembly of tolerating “procedural overreach, backroom deals, and the misuse of UN posts.”
He added that the United States would immediately reassess its engagement, participation, and financial support for the organisation.
France, however, strongly defended Türk’s leadership.
Ambassador Bonnafont described the human rights chief as “a voice of conscience” who had demonstrated “rigour and impartiality” during his first term, arguing that his reappointment reflected broad international confidence in his work.
The United Nations declined to comment directly on the US protest. Deputy UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said only that the organisation expected all member states to respect decisions taken by the General Assembly.
