In a scene reflecting an escalating confrontation between traditional diplomacy and political discourse based on "artificial intelligence" and distorted information, France's Foreign Minister has found himself in the crosshairs of widespread criticism from an international diplomatic elite. This follows his use of what sources described as a "digitally distorted version" of the UN rapporteur's statements to demand her resignation before the French National Assembly.
On February 11, 2026, Barrot launched a fierce attack on Albanese, describing her as "neither an expert nor independent, but rather a political activist fueling hatred," announcing that "France will firmly demand her resignation" during the upcoming session of the UN Human Rights Council. However, the surprise came when Albanese responded by publishing the full video of her intervention at the Doha Forum, confirming that she never said "Israel is the common enemy of humanity" as attributed to her, but rather that "the common enemy of humanity is the system that allowed genocide to occur in Palestine, including the financial capital that funds it, the algorithms that conceal it, and the weapons that make it possible."
Deliberate Distortion or Technical Error?
What makes the issue even more controversial is Barrot's insistence on his position despite Albanese's categorical denial and her confirmation in an interview with France 24 that "the very harsh judgments we make about the State of Israel have nothing to do with hatred of Jews," denouncing the use of the charge of anti-Semitism to distort criticism of human rights violations committed by the occupation in Gaza.
Former Dutch diplomat Angélique Eijpe, who resigned from the diplomatic corps after more than two decades due to her government's refusal to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, told Echorouk in an exclusive statement: "This issue does not only affect Ms. Albanese's position, but also touches the fundamental principles of diplomacy. When a foreign minister amplifies distorted materials and demands the resignation of a UN expert on this basis, this has serious consequences. Diplomacy depends on verification, accuracy, and good faith, and these are not mere formalities, but the foundation of multilateral trust."
Coalition of Diplomats: Dangerous Practices Threaten the Integrity of International Institutions
The "Coalition of Former Diplomats and Officials for International Accountability," which includes prominent figures such as former Greek politician Yanis Varoufakis, former President of Doctors Without Borders Rony Brauman, current President of Doctors of the World Jean-François Corty, in addition to former foreign ministers from Denmark, the Netherlands, Argentina, and South Africa, accused Barrot of "promoting misleading information by publicly citing a digitally distorted version of statements made by UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese."
The signatories condemned "the use of inaccurate and distorted information aimed at defaming the holder of an independent UN mandate," warning that "such practices affect the integrity of international institutions, undermine trust in international law, and weaken the principles of accountability and transparency upon which multilateral diplomacy is based."
Devastating Impacts on Human Rights and the United Nations
Regarding how Barrot's statements could affect human rights and the United Nations in the future, Eijpe explained: "We are living in a moment where international legal institutions are facing increasing pressure. The humanitarian and human rights situation in Gaza is currently under examination by international judicial bodies, including the International Court of Justice. In this context, maintaining the independence and credibility of UN mechanisms becomes essential."
She added: "If high-ranking officials publicly defame UN mandate holders by relying on inaccurate or distorted information, this may establish a pattern where attacks on independent experts become normalized whenever their findings are politically inconvenient. This could encourage other governments to follow suit."
Warning: The Multilateral System Cannot Function Without a Shared Foundation of Facts
In their open letter, the signatories called on Barrot to "retract the inaccurate statements attributed to Ms. Albanese and publicly correct them," "clearly and unambiguously reaffirm France's commitment to the independence of UN mandate holders," and "fully respect its obligations aimed at protecting and strengthening multilateral institutions."
Eijpe concluded her statement to Echorouk with a stark warning: "The multilateral system cannot function without a shared foundation of facts. When truth erodes, diplomacy becomes mere spectacle rather than principled engagement. When trust in institutions weakens, it becomes extremely difficult to restore. That is why the appeal signed by more than 150 former ministers, ambassadors, diplomats, and public officials focuses not on politics, but on principles: correcting inaccurate statements, reaffirming the independence of UN mandate holders, and protecting the integrity of multilateral institutions."
Gaza in the Background
This controversy comes at a time when Gaza is experiencing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, as Israeli forces continue their military operations that have resulted in thousands of martyrs and wounded, amidst UN warnings of an imminent famine. The coalition emphasizes in its letter that "multilateral systems are built on truth and institutional integrity," stressing that this issue "should not obscure the severity of the humanitarian crisis and ongoing human rights violations in Gaza."
A Clear Message to Paris
As the upcoming session of the Human Rights Council approaches on February 23, where France intends to reassert its demand for Albanese's resignation, the message seems clear: either return to accuracy, verification, and objectivity, or risk undermining the credibility of the multilateral system as a whole. In an era where information manipulation has become a deadly weapon in international conflicts, the battle today appears to be not only about Palestine, but about the future of principled diplomacy, and about the international community's ability to protect its independent experts from systematic defamation campaigns.