The United Nations Office at Geneva
Multimedia Newsroom
Edited News , Images | OHCHR
Arrival of new UN Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Türk at Palais Wilson
STORY: Arrival of new UN Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Türk at Palais Wilson
TRT: 03:23
SOURCE: OHCHR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: English/NATS
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
DATELINE: 17-10-2022 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
SHOTLIST
- Exterior shots: Palais Wilson, Geneva.
- Various exterior shot: Arrival of HC Volker Türk through the gates of Palais Wilson greeted by UN Human rights spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani
- Various shots interior: Arriving at his office in Palais Wilson.
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “It's very important at this point in time to have a very strong focus on human rights.”
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “Let's not forget, it's one of the fundamental pillars of the United Nations, apart from peace and security and sustainable development. It comes at a very critical point in time when we have seen so many divisions around the world, but also incredible pushback on gender issues, on civic space issues, on the utter contempt for human life in warfare – just recently, now, as we speak, what's happening in Ukraine, but also in places like Ethiopia and elsewhere. For me, it's very important in the exercise of my responsibilities to be guided by the impact that we can have on people's lives and how they interact with each other, how they interact with nature and with future generations. That's incredibly important.”
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “I will also be guided by the Charter of the United Nations, by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, by all these incredible achievements of humanity, the different human rights, normative instruments that have been established.”
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “For me, human rights is a common language of humanity. It unifies us. It is not meant to divide us. I think that's a very important message and we need to strive together. Working with yourselves, with Member States, with governments, with civil society organizations, with parliamentarians, with faith leaders, to advance this extremely important cause that we all believe in, because ultimately it affects all our lives, and we need to respect that very much.”
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “So, thank you very much and look forward to working with you.”
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “Protection of media and journalists is incredibly important for me, and I will be putting a particular emphasis on that. It's very important at this point in time to have a very strong focus on human rights.”
- Medium shots: UN High Commissioner Volker Türk at his desk.
SCRIPT
Volker Türk began his four-year mandate as the eighth United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, this morning at the Palais Wilson in Geneva.
“It's very important at this point in time to have a very strong focus on human rights,” the High Commissioner stated.
“Let's not forget, it's one of the fundamental pillars of the United Nations, apart from peace and security and sustainable development. It comes at a very critical point in time when we have seen so many divisions around the world, but also incredible pushback on gender issues, on civic space issues, on the utter contempt for human life in warfare – just recently now and as we speak, what's happening in Ukraine, but also in places like Ethiopia and elsewhere. For me, it's very important in the exercise of my responsibilities to be guided by the impact that we can have on people's lives and how they interact with each other, how they interact with nature and with future generations. That's incredibly important,” he added.
“I will also be guided by the Charter of the United Nations, by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, by all these incredible achievements of humanity, the different human rights, normative instruments that have been established,” Türk said.
Adding “For me, human rights is a common language of humanity. It unifies us. It is not meant to divide us. I think that's a very important message and we need to strive together. Working with yourselves, with Member States, with governments, with civil society organizations, with parliamentarians, with faith leaders to advance this extremely important cause that we all believe in, because ultimately it affects all our lives, and we need to respect that very much.”
“So, thank you very much and look forward to working with you.”
And in conclusion “Protection of media and journalists is incredibly important for me, and I will be putting a particular emphasis on that. It's very important at this point in time to have a very strong focus on human rights.”
For more information and media requests, please contact:
In Geneva: Ravina Shamdasani - + 41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.org
Similar Stories
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on Friday made the following remarks on Israel’s military ground incursions and displacement orders in Lebanon.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , IOM , WHO
The escalating war in the Middle East has heightened growing concerns about further civilian suffering and displacement in the region and far beyond, UN agencies said on Friday.
2
1
2
Press Conferences , Edited News | OHCHR
UN Human Rights chief Volker Türk made the following remarks at a press stake out on the current situation in the Middle East.
“The crisis sparked in the Middle East one week ago following US and Israeli attacks on Iran, and Iran’s counterattacks, has been spreading like wildfire. It is causing significant damage in Iran, Israel and at least a dozen other countries, mostly in the Gulf, with risks of major economic and environmental ramifications across the world,” he said.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on Tuesday made the following remarks on the current situation in the Middle-East.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNHCR , WFP
Schoolgirls killed, thousands displaced, aid routes compromised: UN humanitarians deplore effects of new Middle East war
On the fourth day of Israeli and United States airstrikes against Iran and amid growing violence and instability in the Middle East, the UN urgently called for protection of civilians and warned of growing displacement and humanitarian needs.
1
1
1
Edited News | IOM
Well over 1.3 million people have fled Sudan’s ongoing war for South Sudan, the UN migration agency, IOM, reported on Friday, amid rising violence and a massive humanitarian emergency linked to the country’s political crisis.
2
1
2
Statements , Conferences , Edited News | HRC , OHCHR
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Friday presented to the 61st Human Rights Council his global update on the human rights situation.
2
1
2
Edited News | OHCHR
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Thursday presented to the UN Human Rights Council a new report on the human rights situation in occupied Palestinian territory.
2
1
2
Edited News | OHCHR
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Thursday briefed the Human Rights Council in Geneva on the human rights situation in Sudan: “Nearly three years of brutal conflict have almost turned Sudan into a land of despair. The report I am presenting today is yet another chapter in the chronicle of cruelty. It outlines clear, ongoing patterns of violence against civilians, including killings, rape, and torture. As the fighting has intensified, violations of international law by all parties to the conflict have surged, while accountability has remained practically absent,” he said.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Thursday told the Human Rights Council in Geneva today: “Afghanistan is a graveyard for human rights. The cascade of edicts and laws announced by the de facto authorities since coming to power in 2021 is having a crushing impact on the Afghan people, particularly women and girls.”
3
1
Edited News | UNITED NATIONS , OCHA , UNHCR
Ukraine enters fifth year of war: Attacks and displacement deepen human suffering amid mounting recovery challenges
On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, UN officials took stock of the immense human and economic toll of the conflict while appealing to the world to “never get used to war.”
27
1
Press Conferences , Images | PGA , UNOG
Human Rights Council and priorities for the remainder of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), including the UN80 reform initiative, the selection and appointment process of the next UN Secretary-General, and defending the UN Charter. Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland - 24 February 2026