The United Nations Human Rights Council cut off a video statement by Anne Bayefsky, director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust, during a session in Geneva after she criticized several United Nations officials. Bayefsky accused High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, special rapporteur Francesca Albanese, and others of bias and misconduct, including allegations of antisemitism and covering up abuses. The council’s president halted the video, calling her remarks derogatory, insulting, and inflammatory.

Bayefsky said she was prevented from finishing her allotted speaking time and described the move as censorship during an event labeled an interactive dialogue. She also criticized the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, who has denied sexual misconduct allegations, and argued that the council was shielding senior officials from accountability.

A spokesperson for the council said established rules require speakers to maintain respect and tolerance, and that the interruption followed longstanding practice. The spokesperson added that member states did not object to the ruling. Bayefsky noted that this was the second time in a year that her remarks were cut short, while other speakers making accusations against Israel were allowed to proceed uninterrupted.