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France apologises for human rights criticism that sparked US walkout

France said the post concerned one vote, not human rights, and Washington signaled the apology could clear the way for Aurélien Lechevallier’s approval.

  • France's permanent mission to the United Nations apologized on Friday for a July post on X questioning the United States' commitment to human rights, aiming to clear the way for its new ambassador to assume his post in Washington.
  • Tensions erupted after the United States joined nine other countries in July to vote against renewing Volker Turk's mandate as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, prompting France's mission to post that the nation was 'no longer' a human rights model.
  • Washington retaliated by walking out of a UN Security Council meeting when France's ambassador, Jérôme Bonnafont, spoke, and subsequently blocked the accreditation of Aurélien Lechevallier, whom French President Emmanuel Macron selected to replace Laurent Bili.
  • U.S. officials told AFP on Saturday that Washington welcomed the apology, signaling the diplomatic standoff is over and Lechevallier's posting is expected to proceed now that the mission characterized the incident as isolated.
  • France's statement emphasized that public differences on one vote 'do not call into question our historical alliance,' suggesting both nations are moving to restore close dialogue and resume cooperation on shared interests within international forums.
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Lean Left

France has made a diplomatic gesture to the United States, expressing regret over a publication by the French mission to the United Nations in Geneva that sparked a strong reaction from Washington. The dispute began after a publication in July in which France criticized the US vote against extending the mandate of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. Paris put Washington's decision in the context of the positions of countries such …

Left

The case of the French ambassador to Washington is being resolved after the regrets expressed by Paris on Friday 11 September.

·Paris, France
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ReutersReuters
+11 Reposted by 11 other sources
Center

France apologises for human rights criticism that sparked US walkout

France's mission to the United Nations in Geneva has said it "regrets" criticising the ​United States over human rights in a social media post ‌that triggered a diplomatic dispute which has delayed the arrival of a new French ambassador in Washington.

·London, United Kingdom
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  • 38% of the sources are Center, 38% of the sources lean Right
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Le Monde broke the news in Paris, France on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
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