Austrian Volker Türk Re-elected UN Human Rights Chief Despite Opposition

Austrian diplomat Volker Türk has been re-elected as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, securing a second four-year term despite opposition from Russia, the United States, and Israel. Türk received 144 votes in the UN General Assembly, with ten states voting against him and 13 abstaining.

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The UN human rights system has been losing credibility for decades. Volker Türk has led it to its deathbed. Today's vote has delivered the final blow.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres had nominated Türk, whose current mandate expires in October, for another full term. The vote followed a debate marked by sharp criticism of the diplomat. Israel's representative accused Türk of lacking "professionalism and leadership competence" and deviating from "neutrality and impartiality." The U.S. representative, Jeff Bartos, stated that Türk had "led the UN human rights system to its deathbed" and threatened to re-evaluate U.S. cooperation and funding.

Russia's representative criticized Türk for making "baseless accusations" against Russia without evidence and proposed a counter-motion for a term extension only until the end of 2026. Russia argued that a four-year extension would prevent the future secretary-general from appointing their own candidate to the post. However, Russia's proposal was not adopted.

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When it comes to my own country, the High Commissioner readily makes baseless accusations against Russia without even bothering to gather evidence.

The European Union, along with many African and Latin American states, unequivocally supported Türk's extension. China also voted in favor. Türk, who began his current term in October 2022, will commence his new term in October this year, concluding in 2030. He becomes the first human rights commissioner to complete two four-year terms since the office was established in 1993, playing a crucial role in combating the restriction of freedoms worldwide.

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The Austrian diplomat Volker Türk has been elected for another four years as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, despite resistance from Russia, the USA and Israel.