The United States dramatically walked out as France addressed the United Nations (U.N.) Security Council Monday, escalating an extraordinary clash between the longtime allies after Paris claimed America was no longer a “beacon of human rights.”
US Response
Deputy U.S. Ambassador Dan Negrea accused France of “disingenuous grandstanding” and warned that American diplomats would continue walking out during French statements until Paris renounces what he called its “condescending and disrespectful rhetoric.”
Negrea told the council, “Today, I remind them that it is the United States that remains the beacon of liberty for the world. As such, we will not be affording them the benefit of listening to their politicized drivel until they renounce their condescending and disrespectful rhetoric and behave in a manner commensurate with their seat on this council.”
Background
The clash began after the General Assembly voted 144-10, with 13 abstentions, to extend U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk’s tenure through October 2030. The United States had unsuccessfully sought an additional week for consultations, arguing that the vote was being rushed.
U.S. officials have accused Türk of disproportionately criticizing democracies, including the United States and Israel, while failing to confront authoritarian governments with the same urgency.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
