The extension of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk's term sparked sharp diplomatic tension between France and the US at the UN. France's UN mission in Geneva posted a social media message targeting the US after Türk's reappointment.
The French mission said, "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 responded on the same platform, criticizing France's stance. Waltz said, "Disappointing but not surprising; France is trying to distract from its shameful vote coddling the worst human rights abusers." The ambassador argued that France voted for someone who preaches to countries like the US, UK, and Israel while cozying up to the world's greatest oppressors.
In a vote 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.
Speaking before the vote, US Ambassador Jeff Bartos, the US representative for UN management and reform, sharply criticized Türk. Bartos said, "Mr. Türk has brought the system to its deathbed. If you reappoint Volker Türk for four more years, this system will breathe its last."
Bartos argued that Türk disproportionately condemned democracies while failing to adequately respond to violations by authoritarian governments. Noting that criticism of Israel far exceeded that of other countries, Bartos claimed that Türk remained silent for 12 days on the wave of violence that began in Iran but quickly condemned the US military operation against Iran.
France's UN Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont offered a completely opposite assessment. Bonnafont said that Türk had shown "rigor and impartiality" at a time of increasing attacks on multilateral institutions and the universality of human rights. "He has been a voice of conscience, confronting states with facts and responsibilities," he said.
The Geneva-based watchdog UN Watch published an analysis of Türk's public statements during his tenure. According to the analysis, 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 what the French described as an "arrogant" public attack. The same official stressed that the vote was rushed and that Türk's current term runs until October.
