The UN General Assembly extended the term of High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk despite opposition from Russia, the US, and Israel. In Friday's vote, there were 144 votes in favor, 10 against, and 13 abstentions.
The decision, proposed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, stipulates that Türk's new term will begin on October 12, 2026. The General Assembly rejected Russia's proposal to limit the term to December 31, 2026, and the US request to postpone the vote.
US Ambassador for UN Management and Reform Jeff Bartos criticized the decision, arguing that Guterres had rushed the process. Bartos warned about "exceeding procedural authority, backroom deals, and the abuse of UN positions," and announced that the US would immediately review its participation, cooperation, and funding for the organization in light of these developments.
Austrian Volker Türk has served as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights since October 2022. He is known for directly criticizing Russia's war in Ukraine, Israel's attacks on Gaza, deaths in US immigrant detention centers, and tensions between the US and Iran. It is this outspokenness that is said to lie behind the three countries' objections.
Louis Charbonneau, UN director at Human Rights Watch, stressed that attacks on human rights are increasing worldwide and that this situation requires a bold High Commissioner capable of countering attempts by major powers such as China, Russia, and the US to weaken UN human rights bodies.
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights was established in 1993 and plays a critical role in monitoring the human rights situation worldwide and denouncing setbacks to freedoms.
