Redactions in Epstein Files like ‘institutional gaslighting’, UN panel says - 'Racism, extreme misogyny'

Millions of Epstein Files released by the Department of Justice show that the paedophile committed crimes against humanity, a panel of independent experts appointed by the United Nations human rights council has said. The files suggest the existence of a “global criminal enterprise”, it stated. “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 said in a statement.

The files document Epstein's actions, detailing the crimes carried out against the victims. The independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) said on Tuesday (February 17) the files show that they were committed against a backdrop of supremacist beliefs, racism, corruption and extreme misogyny. They showed a commodification and dehumanisation of women and girls.

The UN panel says the crimes warrant an independent, thorough and impartial investigation. The experts also want a probe into how such things continued to happen for so long without anyone's knowledge. “All the allegations contained in the ‘Epstein Files’ are egregious in nature and require independent, thorough, and impartial investigation, as well as inquiries to determine how such crimes could have taken place for so long,” the experts said.

Epstein is accused of trafficking women and abusing them on his island. The over 3.5 million files released by the Department of Justice also hint at his connection with some powerful men. The documents name high-profile people like Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Steve Bannon, British politician Peter Mandelson, among others.

The Department of Justice was pushed to release the Epstein files following the passing of the Epstein Files Transparency Act in November 2025. It was directed to make public all files and investigation material "in a searchable and downloadable format". The department withheld several details in the name of protecting the victims. However, this has angered activists and survivors who demand full disclosure, claiming that the redactions are meant to protect the perpetrators.

The UN panel also reacted to the redactions, saying, “The reluctance to fully disclose information or broaden investigations has left many survivors feeling retraumatised and subjected to what they describe as ‘institutional gaslighting’." US Attorney General Pam Bondi has claimed that everything has been released now, triggering outrage among the victims.

The experts on the UN panel demanded strict action against those involved in the crimes involving Epstein. While many influential people have been named in the files, almost no one has faced action. “Any suggestion that it is time to move on from the ‘Epstein files’ is unacceptable. It represents a failure of responsibility towards victims,” they said.