UNITED NATIONS, July 25, (v7n)– The United Nations General Assembly voted Friday to renew Volker Türk's mandate as high commissioner for human rights for four years, despite strong opposition from the United States, Russia, and Israel.
By a vote of 144 in favour, 10 against, and 13 abstentions, the assembly approved the renewal beginning October 12, 2026, as proposed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. An alternative proposal from Russia to extend the mandate by only a few months was overwhelmingly rejected, as was the US request to postpone the vote.
Ambassador Jeff Bartos, US representative for UN management and reform, criticised the four-year renewal on both procedural and substantive grounds, accusing Guterres of rushing the process. "Make no mistake: If this assembly tolerates procedural overreach, backroom deals, and the misuse of UN posts, there will be consequences. The United States will immediately reassess our engagement, participation, and funding," he warned, accusing Guterres of rushing the timetable "to hand his long-term friend a four-year executive payout."
French Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont, however, described Türk as "a voice of conscience" who had demonstrated "rigor and impartiality" during his first term.
Türk, an Austrian jurist, has served as high commissioner since October 2022, emphasising the universality of human rights and the need to apply international law equally. He has been outspoken on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the war in Gaza, Afghanistan, Sudan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Nicaragua. However, he has also faced criticism for not taking more decisive positions on Cuba, the plight of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, and for not directly using the word "genocide" in reference to Gaza, unlike several UN experts and rapporteurs.
Türk's stances have earned sharp criticism from Russia and Israel, whose ambassadors voiced opposition Friday, arguing that Guterres—whose term as secretary-general expires at the end of the year—should have left the selection to his successor.
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