Suche
Mein Konto
Human rights in danger: UN Commissioner Türk sounds the alarm!
Volker Türk, UN Human Rights Commissioner, warns of the collapse of international norms in Geneva. He emphasizes the need for accountability and human rights in conflicts worldwide.
Human rights in danger: UN Commissioner Türk sounds the alarm!
In an explosive speech on March 3, 2025 in Geneva, UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk denounced the alarming developments in international politics. He warned of a dangerous erosion of the global system of values and rules that has ensured peace and stability for decades. Türk, who estimates there are over 120 current conflicts worldwide, emphasizes that norms to protect the civilian population and the rule of law are being “blatantly and repeatedly” ignored. The conflicts in Ukraine, the Gaza Strip, Sudan and the Congo in particular are examples of how humanitarian standards are no longer being maintained. The High Commissioner emphasizes that all actors, including companies, must be held accountable for their damage. His call for the EU to introduce human rights and environmental due diligence shows the necessary pressure to act.
Consequences of political developments
Türk also expressed concern about the upcoming policy change under the new US administration of Donald Trump and its potential impact on human rights. According to the report of Daily Mirror There is a risk that human rights will be pushed into the background with increasingly isolating rhetoric against minorities and foreigners. Türk makes it clear that political programs should always be assessed from the perspective of human rights. At the same time, he announced that he would seek dialogue with the Trump administration to remind the USA of its international obligations, particularly with regard to migration and the death penalty.
Particularly worrying is the rise in civilian deaths in conflict, underpinned by shock statistics showing the figure rose by 72 percent in 2023. Türk explained that atrocities such as school bombings and mass rapes could become a new global normal, which is a terrible prospect. At a time when war criminals often go unpunished, Türk calls for justice for victims to be paramount and for the international community to act urgently to counter this urge, as outlined in his recent report on the Gaza Strip.