UN Human Rights Council Silences Critic Amid Controversial Censorship Incident

FIRST ON FOX— The United Nations Human Rights Council, commonly referred to as UNHRC, caused a stir by abruptly cutting off a video statement during an important session. The controversy erupted when the speaker, Anne Bayefsky, addressed the tragic fate of Ariel and Kfir Bibas, drawing the ire of council officials.

A Disrupted Dialogue

This incident unfolded during an “Interactive Dialogue” centered on U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk’s report regarding the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Such dialogues typically allow experts to voice concerns about ongoing human rights issues.

During her video submission, Bayefsky, who serves as the director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust, quickly faced disruption. Just after beginning her statement with a grave assertion regarding the murder of a nine-month-old baby by Palestinian individuals, UNHRC President Jürg Lauber interjected, expressing disapproval of the language used.

Unprecedented Reactions

Lauber stated, “Sorry, I have to interrupt,” as the video paused. Although he permitted a continuation of Bayefsky’s remarks temporarily, he eventually halted the video entirely. He reiterated that the language employed “exceeds clearly the limits of tolerance and respect,” marking a significant moment in the ongoing discussion about free speech within the UN framework.

Bayefsky Defends Her Statement

In an exclusive conversation with Fox News Digital, Bayefsky revealed that organizations accredited by the UN must submit video transcripts one day before dialogues. This protocol led her to believe that UN officials had prior knowledge of her intended message, suggesting the incident was carefully orchestrated.

Expressing her frustration, Bayefsky stated, “It’s a total farce. There is no free speech at the U.N. for any NGO that calls out U.N. antisemitism. This is not harmless censorship. This is a war that the U.N. has declared against Jews, against Americans, and against free speech.” Her remarks reflect broader concerns over the organization’s commitment to free expression.

Unveiling Broader Issues

Bayefsky elaborated on her choice of making a strong opening statement, emphasizing her time constraint of one minute and thirty seconds. She accused UN officials of deeming actual horrors, such as the murder of the Bibas babies, as inappropriate to discuss, highlighting the challenges faced when addressing sensitive subjects at the UN.

Furthermore, she contended that a specific segment of her video, where she called for accountability from High Commissioner Türk, contributed to her abrupt censorship. Notably, she referred to Türk as a “High Commissioner for Human Wrongs” and called attention to the bloodshed linked to his actions.

Criticism of Human Rights Leadership

Critics, including Bayefsky, have scrutinized Türk for what they perceive as an insensitive characterization of recent events. In an earlier statement made on October 7, 2023, he appeared to equate the actions of Hamas with Israel’s subsequent response, which further fueled controversy.

In response to inquiries regarding the censorship incident, a spokesperson from the U.N. OHCHR, Pascal Sim, maintained that Lauber’s remarks stood alone, implying that no further commentary was warranted.

Disparities in Treatment

During the very same session, numerous statements accusing Israel of heinous actions were allowed without interruption. Representatives from Qatar alleged that Israel employed torture and collective punishment, while other speakers accused Israel of genocide—none of which faced objection from Lauber. This inequitable treatment raises questions about the impartiality of the UNHRC.

Similarly, Defense for Children International, a self-identified