US Walks Out Of UN Security Council Meeting During France’s Remarks

The United States delegation staged a walkout during a United Nations(UN) Security Council meeting on Monday in protest against remarks by France, which accused Washington of aligning with authoritarian governments on human rights issues.

The diplomatic dispute stems from last week’s vote on extending the tenure of Volker Turk as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, during which the United States joined North Korea and Russia in opposing his reappointment.

Following the vote on Friday, France’s mission to the United Nations criticised Washington and drew comparisons between the US, North Korea and Russia.

“The US used to be a beacon of human rights. Not anymore,” France’s UN mission posted on X.

Responding to the criticism, US Ambassador Mike Waltz accused France of supporting a human rights chief who had been “lecturing” democratic nations while “cozying up to the world’s worst oppressors,” although he did not specify the countries he was referring to.

Turk has previously criticised Russia over its war in Ukraine and also raised concerns about Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

The US delegation walked out while France’s UN Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont was addressing an emergency Security Council meeting focused on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Following the protest, US Ambassador Dan Negrea said Washington would continue similar actions until France changed what he described as its “condescending and disrespectful rhetoric.”

The disagreement over Turk’s second term reflects broader tensions between the United States and the United Nations.

Despite US opposition, Turk secured a second term after receiving 144 votes in favour, while 10 countries voted against and 13 abstained.

The dispute comes as the Trump administration continues to reduce engagement with the United Nations, having already cut funding to several UN agencies and withdrawn from numerous UN bodies.

During Friday’s vote, US Ambassador Jeff Bartos criticised Turk’s reappointment and warned that the decision would have consequences.

“There will be consequences” to the assembly which “tolerates procedural overreach, backroom deals, and the misuse of UN posts”.

He added:

“The United States will immediately reassess our engagement, participation, and funding.”

France, however, defended Turk’s leadership, with Ambassador Bonnafont describing him as “a voice of conscience”who had shown “rigor and impartiality” throughout his first term.

Deputy UN spokesperson Farhan Haq declined to comment directly on the US walkout, stating only that the United Nations expects all member states to respect the outcome of the General Assembly’s decision.