UN experts: Allegations in Epstein files may amount to 'crimes against humanity'

Millions of documents tied to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein point to a “global criminal enterprise” committing acts that may constitute crimes against humanity, a panel of independent experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) have warned.

In a statement released on Monday, the independent experts, serving in their individual capacities and not as UN staff, highlighted that the criminal acts detailed in the files amount to some of the gravest offenses under international law.

“These crimes were committed against a backdrop of supremacist beliefs, racism, corruption and extreme misogyny,” the experts noted.

"So grave is the scale, nature, systematic character, and transnational reach of these atrocities against women and girls, that a number of them may reasonably meet the legal threshold of crimes against humanity," they added.

The experts called for an independent, thorough, and impartial investigation into the allegations, underlining the need to examine how such crimes could persist for so long.

A law passed by Congress last November with broad bipartisan support requires all Epstein-related files to be made public.

However, the experts raised concerns about “serious compliance failures and botched redactions” that exposed sensitive victim information. So far, more than 1,200 victims have been identified in the released documents.

"The reluctance to fully disclose information or broaden investigations has left many survivors feeling retraumatized and subjected to what they describe as institutional gaslighting," the experts stressed.

“It is imperative that governments act decisively to hold perpetrators accountable,” the experts emphasized, adding, “No one is too wealthy or too powerful to be above the law.”

‘Get the files out’: Hillary Clinton slams Trump for Epstein files ‘cover-up’

Hillary Clinton has slammed Donald Trump for orchestrating an Epstein “cover-up” as Washington scrambles to control the political fallout.

The Department of Justice's (DOJ) release of documents has revealed Epstein's connections to high-profile figures in politics, finance, academia, and business, both before and after he pleaded guilty in 2008 to prostitution charges, including soliciting underage girls.

As journalists and investigators comb through 3.5 million files, new allegations have emerged implicating US President Donald Trump.

Among them is a “child sex abuse tip” sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI, along with evidence that Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell attempted to “effectively pimp” a young girl to Trump.

Trump’s ties to Epstein have haunted him throughout his second term. Multiple documents show Epstein describing himself as Trump’s “closest friend for 10 years,” while records indicate Trump flew on Epstein’s private jet at least seven times during the 1990s.

DOJ documents released in November suggest Trump may have spent hours alone with one of Epstein’s victims at Epstein’s residence.

Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges in July 2019 and held at New York City’s Metropolitan Correctional Center.

He reportedly died by hanging in August 2019, despite being under suicide watch following a suspected earlier attempt in July, fueling ongoing questions about the circumstances of his death.

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