Edited News , Conferences | OHCHR , UNOG
“Any sustainable peace must be anchored in the rights, needs and aspirations of the Ukrainian people, in accountability, and in the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law. The decisions made today – whether they foster justice or impunity – will shape what follows,” Türk said at the opening of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
“In Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, where the suffering has been unbearable, I repeat my call for an independent investigation into grave violations of international law, committed by Israel in the course of its attacks across Gaza, and by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups,” he said.
“Any sustainable solution must be based on accountability, justice, the right to self-determination, and the human rights and dignity of both Israelis and Palestinians. Any suggestion of forcing people from their land is completely unacceptable,” Türk said.
Beyond Ukraine and Gaza, conflicts and crises are tearing communities and societies apart, from Sudan to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Myanmar and Afghanistan.
Highlighting multiple challenges, the High Commissioner called for an all-out effort by everyone to make sure that human rights and the rule of law remain central to communities, societies and international relations.
“The global consensus on human rights is crumbling under the weight of authoritarians, strongmen and oligarchs,” Türk warned.
“Everywhere, we see attempts to ignore, undermine, and redefine human rights; and to create a false binary that pits one right against another in a zero-sum game. There are concerted efforts to chip away at gender equality, and the rights of migrants, refugees, people with disabilities, and minorities of all kinds,” the High Commissioner said.
“But human rights, from the right to food and adequate housing, to the rights to health, education, and freedom of speech – are for everyone.”
That is the backdrop against which the UN Human Rights Office and the broader human rights ecosystem, including the Human Rights Council, are working to safeguard and promote the rights of everyone, everywhere.
“Today, we need an alternative vision. We need the politics of wisdom, rooted in facts, the law, and compassion,” he said.
“Human rights go beyond thought leadership, to heart leadership. They tap into some of our most cherished ideals about how people should treat each other, and the meaning of human dignity,” he said.
Upholding human rights makes eminent sense for stability, for prosperity, for a better common future, Türk stressed.
“Human rights are a winning proposition for humanity. We will continue to protect, promote and defend them around the world, with humility, determination, and indomitable hope,” he concluded.
The High Commissioner will deliver his Global Update to the UN Human Rights Council on 3 March.
For more information and media requests, please contact
Liz Throssell + 41 22 917 9296 / elizabeth.throssell@un.org
Jeremy Laurence - + 41 22 917 9383 / jeremy.laurence@un.org
Thameen Al-Kheetan - + - +41 22 917 4232 / thameen.alkheetan@un.org
Seif Magango Tel: +41 79 752 0488 / seif.magango@un.org
Tag and share –
Twitter: @UNHumanRights
Facebook: unitednationshumanrights
Instagram: @unitednationshumanrights
STORY: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk addresses opening of UN Human Rights Council in Geneva
TRT: 03:27
SOURCE: OHCHR/UNOG
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: English/NATS
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
DATELINE: 24 February 2025 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
SHOTLIST
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk addressed the Human Rights Council during a meeting on the Israeli strike on negotiators in Qatar on Tuesday. “Israel’s strike on negotiators in Doha on 9 September was a shocking breach of international law, an assault on regional peace and stability, and a blow against the integrity of mediation and negotiating processes around the world,” he said.
1
1
1
Statements , Conferences | HRC
The Human Rights is holding an Urgent debate to “discuss the recent military aggression launched by Israel against the State of Qatar on 9 September 2025”.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNICEF
Gaza: Thirsty and starving, war-battered families face ‘inhumane’ evacuation
As bombs continue to fall on Gaza City as part of the intensifying Israeli military operation, families with starving children are being pushed southwards from one “hellscape” to another, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
New UN Human Rights report finds 10 years of increased suffering repression and fear
The UN Human Rights Office on Friday published a report on the human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) since 2014.
1
1
2
Edited News | UNICEF , UNHCR
The ongoing humanitarian response to the devastating Afghanistan earthquake disaster continued on Friday, although essential services have been cut for operational reasons following reinforced Taliban restrictions on women working with the UN, the global body said.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
Un nouveau rapport du Haut-Commissariat des Nations Unies aux droits de l'homme sur la République démocratique du Congo évoque le spectre de crimes de guerre et de crimes contre l'humanité dans le Nord et le Sud-Kivu.,
2
1
2
Press Conferences , Edited News | HRC
A high-level independent rights probe into the Sudan crisis on Tuesday condemned the many grave crimes committed against civilians by all parties to the war, citing disturbing evidence indicating that they had been “deliberately targeted, displaced and starved”.
1
1
1
Edited News | WHO
Ukraine: ‘Relentless’ attacks rattle health system as winter approaches: WHO
Ambulances attacked, chronically ill patients lacking care and no peace in sight: for millions of Ukrainians, the run-up to another winter of war is just the latest life-or-death challenge they face, the UN health agency (WHO) said on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Statements , Conferences | HRC
Interactive dialogue on the situation of human rights in the Sudan.
1
2
1
Statements , Conferences | HRC
"Women and girls face extreme forms of gender-based discrimination and oppression that amount to systematic gender persecution", said UN deputy rights chief at the enhanced interactive dialogue on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Monday delivered his report on Sri Lanka to the 60th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Monday delivered his global update to the 60th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.