The US delegation walked out of a UN Safety Council assembly when France spoke, in a protest in opposition to feedback that in contrast Washington’s voting on human rights to that of authoritarian states.
The diplomatic row sparked on Friday after the US joined North Korea and Russia in voting in opposition to extending Volker Turk’s time period as UN excessive commissioner for human rights.
After the vote, France’s UN Mission in Geneva mentioned: “The US was a beacon of human rights. Not anymore”.
US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz accused France of supporting somebody who had been “lecturing” democratic nations whereas “cozying as much as the world’s worst oppressors”.
Turk has criticised Russia’s struggle in Ukraine and Israel’s conduct in Gaza.
The US walkout got here throughout an emergency Safety Council assembly on Russia’s struggle in Ukraine, as France was talking.
Senior US official Dan Negrea mentioned the US delegation would proceed to make comparable stands till France “renounces their condescending and disrespectful rhetoric”.
The struggle over Turk’s second time period, which was handed with 144 states in favour, 10 in opposition to and 13 abstentions, displays tensions between Washington and the UN.
Washington has reduce funding for UN businesses and withdrawn from dozens of UN entities.
On Friday, US Ambassador Jeff Bartos criticised Turk’s reappointment and mentioned “there shall be penalties” to the meeting which “tolerates procedural overreach, backroom offers, and the misuse of UN posts”.
“America will instantly reassess our engagement, participation, and funding”.
Nonetheless, French Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont described Turk on Friday as ” a voice of conscience” who demonstrated “rigor and impartiality” throughout his first time period.
Deputy UN spokesperson Farhan Haq declined to touch upon the US walkout, including the UN anticipated all member states to respect the choice.
