WASHINGTON: A rare public confrontation between two Western allies unfolded at the United Nations Security Council on Monday evening when the United States delegation walked out as the French ambassador began speaking.

The dramatic gesture followed a sharp diplomatic exchange over human rights, the United Nations system and Washington’s decision to oppose the extension of the mandate of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.

While Washington and Paris exchanged sharp accusations over human rights and the future of the UN system, Pakistan chose not to enter the dispute, focusing instead on the Ukraine war and the need for diplomacy.

The US protest was triggered by criticism from France after a General Assembly vote on extending Turk’s four-year mandate. The resolution received overwhelming support, with 144 countries voting in favour. The United States was among only 10 countries that opposed the extension.

Pakistan stays out of US-France dispute, focusing instead on Ukraine conflict

Following the vote, France’s UN Mission in Geneva publicly criticised Washington’s position, saying: “The US used to be a beacon of human rights. Not anymore.”

The French statement also highlighted that the United States had voted against the resolution alongside countries including Russia and North Korea, a comparison that provoked an angry response from Washington.

The Trump administration argued that the UN human rights system had become politically selective, accusing the High Commissioner’s office of focusing disproportionately on democratic countries such as the United States and Israel while failing to adequately challenge authoritarian governments.

US Representative Jeff Bartos warned that the decision would have “consequences” and said it would lead to a broader reassessment of American funding for UN institutions.

The dispute moved from public statements to the Security Council chamber. As French Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont took the floor, the American delegation staged a brief walkout in protest.

After returning to the chamber, Alternate US Representative Dan Negrea sharply criticised the French comments, describing them as “disingenuous grandstanding” and “politicised drivel.” He said Washington would continue to skip French statements until Paris withdrew what he called “condescending and disrespectful rhetoric.”

US Ambassador Mike Waltz also defended the move, accusing France of shifting attention away from its own decisions and claiming that Paris had chosen to “coddle some of the world’s worst human rights abusers” by supporting Turk’s reappointment.

France, however, defended its position and the independence of the United Nations human rights system. Ambassador Bonnafont did not directly address the American walkout during his remarks. Instead, he emphasised the historic relationship between France and the United States, noting recent joint celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary, while reiterating France’s commitment to maintaining an independent multilateral order.

The clash reflected a wider disagreement between Washington and some of its traditional partners over the role of international institutions.

Pakistan, meanwhile, maintained a careful distance from the confrontation. Speaking at the same Security Council meeting, Pakis­tan’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, focused entirely on the Ukraine war.

Pakistan expressed “deep concern” over the continued escalation of the conflict, warning that attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure were causing an unacceptable humanitarian toll and affecting global food and energy security, particularly in developing countries.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2026