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United States Diplomats Walk Out of UN Security Council Meeting Following France's Criticism of U.S. Human Rights Record

United States diplomats walked out of a United Nations Security Council meeting on Monday, protesting France's criticism of the U.S. human rights record. The walkout followed a contentious vote where the General Assembly reappointed Volker Türk as the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights for a second four-year term. While France and the European Union supported the reappointment, the U.S. opposed it, arguing that Türk has disproportionately criticized democracies like the United States and Israel while failing to address abuses by authoritarian regimes. Ambassador Mike Waltz criticized France for coddling human rights abusers, while alternate representative Dan Negrea accused France of using "condescending and disrespectful rhetoric." The administration announced funding cuts to various UN agencies and has threatened to reassess its engagement with the UN. The walkout highlights growing tensions between the U.S. and France over NATO spending, trade policy, and the administration's approach to the Iran war. France maintains that Volker Türk has demonstrated rigor and impartiality in his role as a voice of conscience for the world.

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