(Paris, February 23, 2026) – On February 11 and 18, 2026, French Foreign Minister made comments criticizing the UN Human Rights Council-appointed Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 and calling for her resignation. These comments, which appear to be based, at least in part, on a doctored video, come in the context of a continuous barrage of attacks by the government of Israel and its allies against the Special Rapporteur, including unjustified US sanctions, and other voices critical of the Israeli government for its repression and atrocities against Palestinians. In this letter dated February 23, Human Rights Watch expressed its concerns that these comments could bolster such attacks and distract from serious crimes being committed.
Dear Minister Barrot,
Human Rights Watch is an impartial, nongovernmental human rights research and advocacy organization that monitors and reports on human rights issues in approximately 100 countries across the globe.
We are writing to express our views in relation to the statement regarding the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967(Special Rapporteur on the OPT) that you made in response to a question at the Assemblée Nationale, on 11 February 2026, and similar remarks you made on 18 February 2026 before the same body, and in subsequent media appearances.
Human Rights Watch is concerned by this public attack on a UN mandate holder, which appears to be based, at least in part, on a doctored video circulated on social media. Coming in the context of a continuous barrage of attacks by the government of Israel and its allies against the Special Rapporteur, including unjustified US sanctions, and other voices critical of the Israeli government for its repression and atrocities against Palestinians, your comments could bolster such attacks and distract from serious crimes being committed.
While states are free to express their disagreement with the public statements of a UN mandate holder, it is important that states avoid disparaging individual mandate holders or take actions that could undermine their independence by applying undue pressure or attempting to silence them. Concerns about the conduct of a Special Procedures mandate holder can be raised directly with the mandate holder or through the Coordination Committee of Special Procedures mandate holders, submitting concrete evidence, rather than publicly attacking mandate holders with vague complaints about their approach.
We are also concerned that this attack on a UN Special Procedures mandate holder, in stark contrast to the EU Conclusions agreed by all 27 EU member states on 30 January 2026 which underscored “the essential role, independence and integrity of the UN Special Procedures mandate holders,” does damage to the independence and integrity of the system of UN Special Procedures, which is a fundamental pillar of the UN human rights system. We strongly caution against any further similar acts against the mandate holder, which would set a very dangerous precedent and could lead to other states following this example and taking steps against other Special Procedures mandate holders with whom they disagree.
France has been a strong supporter of the UN human rights system, including the UN
Special Procedures mandate holders. As a current member of the UN Human Rights Council, France has committed to ‘uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights,’ and to fully cooperate with the Council and its mechanisms. France is also a member of the core groups of the Human Rights Council resolutions that renew the mandates of: the Special Rapporteur on the Russian Federation; the Designated Expert on Haiti; the Working Group on Enforced or
Involuntary Disappearances; the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; and the Special Rapporteur on Climate Change. Any public attacks or attempts to undermine the independence of a mandate holder could also undermine these efforts of France to support and promote such mandates and to encourage cooperation with those and other Special Rapporteurs.
We are also concerned about the misuse by some of allegations of antisemitism to suppress the expression of views critical of rights violations by the Israeli government or in support of Palestinian rights. Human Rights Watch has raised concerns about how criticism of Israeli government abuses, including at times by Jewish people, has been wrongly labeled as antisemitic, which has led, at times, to the suppression of non-violent protest and speech critical of Israel and/or Zionism, including in Europe and the US. We have also seen in practice politically motivated instrumentalization of ‘antisemitism’ to muzzle critical speech and activism by critics of Israel’s human rights record and advocates for Palestinian rights. We urge France to ensure that, in its vital efforts to combat antisemitism, it does not inadvertently undermine fundamental human rights, including the right to speak and organize in support of Palestinian rights and to criticize Israeli government policies.
As attacks on human rights and multilateralism intensify, and atrocities are committed with an expectation of impunity amid proliferating global crises and conflicts, we urge you to use your intervention at the High Level Segment of the UN Human Rights Council on 25 February to speak up in support of the UN human rights protection system and reaffirm France’s support for all elements of the system. Rather than further fueling attacks on the human rights system, this should be an opportunity to mobilise other states to jointly invest in human rights which contribute to stable, resilient societies, the building and preservation of durable peace, and prevention of conflict and crises.
Furthermore, we urge France to take further, more impactful action to prevent and address the atrocity crimes committed by Israeli authorities throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
We will continue to monitor the issue and are available to discuss further at your convenience.
Kind regards,
Bruno Stagno Ugarte, Chief Advocacy Officer
Bénédicte Jeannerod, France Director
