UN Experts Demand Justice for Epstein Trafficking Victims
Key Takeaways
- ▶ UN Special Rapporteur Siobhán Mullally and five other experts demanded justice for Epstein trafficking victims.
- ▶ The experts called for reparations, guarantees of non-repetition, and transparent accountability.
- ▶ They warned about the 'continuing violence of patriarchal power systems' revealed in the Epstein files.
- ▶ A separate UN panel said in February 2026 that Epstein's abuses may constitute 'crimes against humanity.'
A group of United Nations independent human rights experts on April 16 demanded justice and accountability for victims of trafficking connected to Jeffrey Epstein, calling on governments to take concrete action to ensure survivors receive reparations and access to justice.1
Siobhán Mullally, the UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, especially women and children, led the call alongside five members of the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls: Claudia Flores, Ivana Krstić, Dorothy Estrada Tanck, Haina Lu, and Laura Nyirinkindi.1
The experts called for “concrete action, accountability and urgent measures to ensure access to justice, as well as reparations, guarantees of non-repetition and transparency,” according to the statement released through UN channels.1
Victims Must Be at the Center
In their joint statement, the human rights experts emphasized that the response to Epstein-related trafficking must prioritize survivors above all else. “Victims and survivors must be at the centre of effective trauma-informed and gender-sensitive responses to trafficking in persons,” the experts stated.1
The group reminded governments of their obligation under international law to prevent trafficking, protect victims, and ensure meaningful access to justice. They specifically called for “effective remedies, including compensation” for those who suffered abuse.1
Beyond financial reparations, the experts said victims must be provided with medical assistance, including reproductive and sexual health services, as well as psychosocial assistance. They also called for long-term social inclusion and recovery measures to support survivors in rebuilding their lives.1
The statement warned about the “continuing violence of patriarchal power systems” revealed in the Epstein files, suggesting that the trafficking operation exposed systemic failures that extend well beyond a single perpetrator.1
Escalating International Scrutiny
The April 16 statement marks the latest in a series of increasingly forceful interventions by international bodies regarding the Epstein case. Earlier in February 2026, a separate UN panel concluded that the abuses connected to Epstein may constitute “crimes against humanity,” a designation that carries significant weight under international law.2
That February determination raised the legal stakes considerably, as crimes against humanity are among the most serious offenses recognized in international law and carry obligations for states to investigate and prosecute regardless of where the crimes occurred.
The new statement from Mullally and the Working Group builds on that earlier finding by laying out specific demands for how governments should respond. The call for guarantees of non-repetition signals that the experts view the Epstein case not as an isolated incident but as a systemic failure requiring structural reforms to prevent similar networks from operating in the future.1
A Call for Structural Accountability
The UN experts’ demands add an authoritative international voice to calls that survivors and advocates have made for years. While various legal proceedings and settlements have addressed some victims’ claims — including settlements by JPMorgan Chase, Deutsche Bank, and Bank of America — critics have argued that the full scope of accountability remains incomplete.
By invoking governments’ obligations to prevent trafficking and protect victims, the experts placed responsibility not only on individuals who participated in the abuse but also on the state institutions that failed to intervene despite warning signs. The call for transparency further underscores longstanding concerns about the handling of Epstein-related documents.
The statement from Mullally and her colleagues carries moral and legal authority, though UN Special Rapporteurs and working groups operate in an advisory capacity and cannot compel governments to act. Their pronouncements nonetheless shape international discourse and can influence policy decisions at the national level.
As of April 16, no government had issued a formal response to the experts’ demands.1