In a dramatic and tense moment at the United Nations Human Rights Council, human rights lawyer Hillel Neuer, the executive director of UN Watch, publicly called out Pakistan as a “state sponsor of terror” after a Pakistani diplomat interrupted his speech. The incident occurred during a meeting to discuss recent Israeli strikes on Qatar, which had drawn condemnation from several countries, including Pakistan.
Pakistan’s delegate had expressed strong condemnation of the Israeli strike, stating, “We also strongly condemn Israel’s unlawful and heinous bombing in Qatar.” However, Neuer used his time at the podium to challenge both Qatar and the nations supporting it. He began by criticizing Qatar for “harboring terrorists” and acting as a “state sponsor of terror” by hosting the political office of Hamas. He pointedly asked, “If you don’t want targeted bombings of terrorists in your capital, why do you harbor terrorists in your capital? Terrorists who are still holding hostages, torturing them and rejecting peace deals?”
Neuer then drew a parallel to the 2011 U.S. raid that killed Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan. He reminded the council that the then UN Secretary-General had celebrated the death, stating that “justice had been done.” This reference to a terrorist leader found in Pakistan prompted a swift and angry interruption from the Pakistani delegation. A Pakistani diplomat accused Neuer of “casting unfounded accusations and allegations” and violating the UN Charter.
After the chair gave Neuer only four seconds to conclude his address, the lawyer used the brief window to deliver a final, stinging retort. He simply stated, “Mr. President, Pakistan is another state sponsor of terror.” The final sentence left the Pakistani delegation visibly embarrassed and drew significant attention on social media.
The fiery exchange highlights the complex and often tense diplomatic landscape surrounding counterterrorism, with nations and international bodies often at odds over defining and responding to state-sponsored terrorism.