UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk addresses opening of UN Human Rights Council in Geneva
/
3:27
/
MP4
/
501.7 MB
Download

Edited News , Conferences | OHCHR , UNOG

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk addresses opening of UN Human Rights Council in Geneva

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. Exterior shot : Palais des Nations
  2. Interior shot: room 20
  3. Interior shots: podium Secretary General António Guterres and High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk
  4. SOUNDBITE (English)— Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: 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. ”
  5. Cut away: room 20
  6. SOUNDBITE (English)— Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: 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. ”
  7. Cut away: room 20
  8. SOUNDBITE (English)— Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: 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.”
  9. Cut away: room 20
  10. SOUNDBITE (English)— Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: The global consensus on human rights is crumbling under the weight of authoritarians, strongmen and oligarchs.”
  11. Cut away: room 20
  12. SOUNDBITE (English)— Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “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.”
  13. Cut away: room 20
  14. SOUNDBITE (English)— Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: But human rights, from the right to food and adequate housing, to the rights to health, education, and freedom of speech – are for everyone.”
  15. Cut away: room 20
  16. SOUNDBITE (English)— Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “Today, we need an alternative vision. We need the politics of wisdom, rooted in facts, the law, and compassion. ”
  17. Cut away: room 20
  18. SOUNDBITE (English)— Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: 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.”
  19. Cut away: room 20
  20. SOUNDBITE (English)— Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: 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.”


Documents 1
Download Storyline
Download

Audio Files 1
Download UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk addresses opening of UN Human Rights Council in Geneva (Statement)
Download

Similar Stories

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk Remarks to HRC 60 Urgent debate

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk Remarks to HRC 60 Urgent debate ENG FRA

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.

HRC 60 - Urgent debate 16 September 2025

1

1

1

Statements , Conferences | HRC

HRC 60 - Urgent debate 16 September 2025 ENG FRA

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”.

Gaza Al-Mawasi update - UNICEF

1

1

1

Edited News | UNICEF

Gaza Al-Mawasi update - UNICEF ENG FRA

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.

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Elizabeth Throssell on DPRK

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Elizabeth Throssell on DPRK ENG FRA

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. 

Afghanistan update - UNICEF UNHCR 12 September 2025

1

1

2

Edited News | UNICEF , UNHCR

Afghanistan update - UNICEF UNHCR 12 September 2025 ENG FRA

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.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights report on DRC at the 60th Human Rights Council

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights report on DRC at the 60th Human Rights Council ENG FRA

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., 

HRC60 Press Conference: Report of the Sudan Fact-Finding Mission - 09 September 2025

2

1

2

Press Conferences , Edited News | HRC

HRC60 Press Conference: Report of the Sudan Fact-Finding Mission - 09 September 2025 ENG FRA

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”.

Ukraine attacks - health update - WHO

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO

Ukraine attacks - health update - WHO ENG FRA

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.

HRC60 - Human Rights in Sudan - 09 September 2025

1

1

1

Statements , Conferences | HRC

HRC60 - Human Rights in Sudan - 09 September 2025 ENG FRA

Interactive dialogue on the situation of human rights in the Sudan.

HRC60: Human rights in Afghanistan - 08 September 2025

1

2

1

Statements , Conferences | HRC

HRC60: Human rights in Afghanistan - 08 September 2025 ENG FRA

"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.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights presents report on Sri Lanka to 60th HRC

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights presents report on Sri Lanka to 60th HRC ENG FRA

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.

HRC 60 HC Volker Türk Global update speech

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

HRC 60 HC Volker Türk Global update speech ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Monday delivered his global update to the 60th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.