UN Experts: Epstein Abuses May Be Crimes Against Humanity

PARIS (Azat TV) – An independent panel from the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has declared that the abuses perpetrated by the late convicted U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his associates may constitute “crimes against humanity,” a grave designation that has immediately intensified global scrutiny and prompted new, wide-ranging investigations in France.

The UNHRC panel’s statement on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, came in response to the recent release of millions of U.S. government files related to Epstein’s activities. French prosecutors quickly followed suit on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, announcing two major probes into human trafficking and financial fraud among Epstein’s contacts. This renewed focus underscores growing international pressure for accountability for those connected to Epstein’s extensive network.

UN Panel Identifies Potential Crimes Against Humanity

The independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council highlighted that the newly released documents reveal a pattern of ‘dehumanisation, racism and corruption’ at the core of Epstein’s network. They cited instances of “sexual slavery, reproductive violence, enforced disappearance, torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, and femicide” within the files, asserting that these acts could potentially meet the criteria for crimes against humanity.

The UNHRC panel called for an independent, thorough, and impartial investigation into allegations surrounding Epstein and his associates, who include prominent figures in global politics, business, science, and culture. They also urged inquiries into how such crimes could have been committed for so long without adequate intervention. The experts further criticized ‘serious compliance failures and botched redactions’ in the released U.S. documents, which they noted exposed sensitive victim information and appeared to shield the identities of powerful figures.

The latest condemnation follows the January 30 release of 3.5 million pages of files from the U.S. government, mandated by the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act signed into law last November. Despite the legislation, critics have argued that the release was incomplete and contained excessive redactions, fueling concerns about continued lack of transparency and accountability.

France Launches New Epstein Investigations

In Paris, prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed the launch of two new investigations, one focusing on human trafficking and the other on financial crimes, including money laundering, corruption, and tax fraud. Speaking to France Info radio, Beccuau stated that these probes would utilize publicly available material from the recently released files, alongside new complaints filed by child protection groups.

French authorities are actively encouraging victims of trafficking who have not previously come forward to do so now, hoping the renewed publicity will facilitate new testimonies. Five prosecutors have been assigned to meticulously examine the published files for any indications of involvement by French nationals in sexual or financial offenses.

Preliminary investigations are already underway regarding former culture minister Jack Lang and his daughter Caroline on suspicion of tax fraud. Authorities are also scrutinizing three other cases, including allegations that French diplomat Fabrice Aidan transferred United Nations documents to Epstein, an accusation Aidan has denied. France holds a significant position in these investigations, as it was the only country outside the United States where Epstein owned property, including a luxury apartment near the Arc de Triomphe, indicating frequent visits to Paris.

French prosecutors had previously opened an investigation into Epstein’s connections in 2019, but it was closed in 2023 after key suspect and longtime Epstein associate Jean-Luc Brunel died in a French prison. The current data, acknowledged by prosecutors as incomplete, marks the beginning of what they described as ‘titanic work, without knowing what will come of it.’

Global Fallout and Calls for Accountability

The UNHRC has emphasized that ‘resignations alone’ are not enough and has urged the U.S. and other countries to prosecute those implicated in the scandal. The release of the Epstein files, totaling over 3.5 million pages, has already triggered a wave of resignations across several countries. In the UK, three senior officials in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government have stepped down, and Prince Andrew, the brother of King Charles, has lost his royal titles.

In the U.S., a top Wall Street law firm chairman and a prominent New York arts school chair have resigned. Across Europe, national security advisers in Slovakia and Norway, along with the president of the Swedish UNHCR and a former French culture minister, have also stepped down. Critics argue that Epstein himself faced scant legal consequences for his sex crimes, serving only 13 months after a plea deal in Florida in 2008. He died by suicide in a Manhattan jail in 2019 while facing federal charges, while his associate Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted in the U.S. of trafficking underage girls and sentenced to more than 20 years.

The UN panel’s assertion that Epstein’s abuses may constitute ‘crimes against humanity’ significantly elevates the moral and legal stakes of the ongoing investigations, transforming the narrative from individual misconduct to a systemic global criminal enterprise that demands comprehensive international justice beyond previous attempts at accountability.