Experts say newly released documents demonstrate the need for an independent investigation into Epstein’s sex trafficking ring.
listen to this article4 minutes
information
A United Nations group of experts has suggested that abuses by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein may meet the definition of crimes against humanity.
On Tuesday, independent experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) issued a statement in response to millions of files released by the US government in connection with the criminal investigation against Epstein.
Recommended stories
list of 3 itemsend of list
They explained that the records tell a story of dehumanization, racism, and corruption.
“The scale, nature, systematic nature, and transnational spread of these atrocities against women and girls are so serious that many of them may reasonably meet the legal standard of crimes against humanity,” the experts wrote.
The UNHRC committee called for an investigation into the allegations against Mr. Epstein and his associates, including some of the biggest names in world politics, business, science and culture.
They added that revelations from the files suggested a “global criminal organization”.
“All of the allegations contained in the ‘Epstein Files’ are inherently egregious and require an independent, thorough and impartial investigation, and an inquiry to determine how such crimes could have occurred over such a long period of time,” the experts said.
The accusations follow the release on January 30 of 3.5 million pages of files from US government records relating to Epstein.
The files were required to be made public as part of the Epstein File Transparency Act, a bipartisan bill signed into law in November.
The law gave the U.S. government 30 days to release all Epstein-related documents in searchable format, withholding information solely to protect victims’ privacy.
However, the 30-day deadline passed and the files were only partially released. Even the January 30 publication has been criticized as incomplete, with some reports suggesting the government may have more than 6 million files.
Newly released documents reveal new details about Mr. Epstein’s relationships with influential figures, but few have been held accountable.
Critics argue that Mr. Epstein has faced little legal repercussions for his own sexual crimes. He reached a plea deal in Florida in 2008, pleading guilty to soliciting child prostitution and sex trafficking, but spent only 13 months in custody.
He was jailed on federal charges in 2019 when he died by suicide in his cell.
Epstein’s ex-girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison for her role in a sex trafficking scheme.
In a statement on Tuesday, the UN committee’s experts denounced the extensive redactions of the Epstein file that appear to hide the identity of a powerful man.
“The reluctance to fully disclose information or expand investigations has left many survivors traumatized and exposed to what they call ‘systematic gaslighting’,” UN experts said.
Their criticism echoes similar accusations in the United States. Lawmakers in the country argued that the administration of President Donald Trump, a former friend of Epstein’s, was defying the November law by redacting documents beyond guidelines set by Congress.
Experts also said there appeared to be “editing failures that exposed sensitive information about the victims.” They added that more needed to be done to ensure justice for survivors.
“Any suggestion that it is time to step back from the ‘Epstein File’ is unacceptable. This represents a lack of responsibility for the victims,” they said.
