UN panel calls for international Epstein investigation, citing systematic transnational abuse

Following their initial February 17 statement, UN Human Rights experts on February 18, 2026 issued a formal call for an independent international investigation into the Epstein trafficking network, citing the transnational scope of the crimes and the failure of national justice systems to achieve full accountability. The panel emphasized that despite Ghislaine Maxwell's 2021 conviction and Epstein's 2019 death in custody, hundreds of alleged co-conspirators named in the released files had faced no charges. UN experts warned that botched redactions in the DOJ release had re-traumatized survivors by exposing their identities to the public.