Washington's Opposition to UN Human Rights Chief Reappointment Denounced by France

French Reaction to UN Vote

According to 5 канал: France's permanent mission to the United Nations harshly criticized the United States for voting against the reappointment of Volker Türk as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The vote took place during a UN General Assembly session on July 24, where an overwhelming majority backed extending Türk's term for another four years.

Vote Results

According to the final tally, 144 countries supported Türk's continued mandate, while 10 opposed and 13 abstained. Among those voting against were: the United States, Israel, Russia, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nicaragua, and Trinidad and Tobago. The Assembly also rejected a Russian proposal to shorten Türk's term to the end of 2026, and a US initiative to delay the vote was not supported.

Volker Türk has held the post of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights since 2022. In a statement posted on X, the French diplomatic mission declared:

"At one time, the US was a beacon for human rights. That is no longer true. Today, it stands isolated alongside North Korea, Nicaragua, Mali, and Russia, and the world no longer heeds its voice."

The situation has sparked significant international reaction and underscores a shift in global perceptions of US human rights policy. Washington's refusal to back Türk's reappointment highlights a growing divide between the US and the majority of the international community on human rights issues. This could further isolate the US on the world stage, undermining its ability to shape global policy and coordinate action in other critical areas. In light of the criticism and attention drawn, the US may need to reconsider its UN positions and human rights strategies to avoid further loss of standing.