The extension of High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk's term at the UN General Assembly triggered a rare diplomatic crisis between Washington and Paris. Following the vote, France's UN mission in Geneva issued a sharp statement on social media targeting the US.
The French mission stated, "The US used to be a beacon of human rights. It is no longer. Today, it stands isolated, alongside North Korea, Nicaragua, Mali and Russia. And the world is no longer listening," and added the hashtag #AmericaAlone.
US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz sharply criticized France's stance in a response on the same platform. Waltz said, "France is trying to distract from its shameful vote that indulges the worst human rights violators," and claimed France voted for "someone who shows affinity for the world's greatest oppressors."
In the vote held at the UN General Assembly on Saturday, Volker Türk's term was extended from October 12, 2026 to October 11, 2030 with 144 votes in favor, 10 against and 13 abstentions. The US requested a postponement of the vote, but member states rejected the request.
Before the vote, US Ambassador Jeff Bartos, representative for UN management and reform, harshly criticized Türk, saying, "Mr. Türk has brought the system to its deathbed. If you reappoint Volker Türk for four years, this system will breathe its last."
Bartos argued that Türk disproportionately condemns democracies while failing to adequately respond to violations by authoritarian governments. Noting that criticism of Israel in particular far exceeds that of other countries, Bartos claimed that Türk remained silent for 12 days in the face of a wave of violence that began in Iran, but swiftly condemned the US military operation against Iran.
France's UN Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont, on the other hand, offered a completely opposite assessment, saying Türk demonstrated "rigor and impartiality" and was "a voice of conscience that confronts states with facts and their responsibilities."
According to an analysis published by the Geneva-based watchdog UN Watch, Türk criticized the US more than China, North Korea, Cuba, Saudi Arabia and Qatar combined. The organization claimed that in statements made on his own initiative, Türk had no criticism of Cuba, North Korea and some other authoritarian countries.
A US official close to the matter said Washington was surprised by the French public attack, which they described as "arrogant." The same official stressed that the vote was rushed and that Türk's current term runs until October.
