HRC 60 HC Volker Türk Global update speech

“Human rights provide a compass to steer us through the challenges of our time, from the climate crisis to technological developments. And yet, disturbing trends that undercut our rights are gaining ground across the world. Pro-war propaganda is everywhere, from military parades to ramped up rhetoric. Sadly, there are no Peace parades, or Ministries of Peace,” Türk said.

“The glorification of violence is coupled with a troubling erosion of international law.

This law is the foundation of peace, our global order, and our daily lives, from trade rules to the global internet, to our fundamental rights. But several Governments are disregarding, disrespecting, and disengaging from it, “the High Commissioner said.

“It is time for States to wake up, and to act. Around the world, the long-established rules of war are being shredded – with virtually no accountability,” he added.

Russia’s war in Ukraine has turned even more deadly, Türk noted. In July, more civilians were killed and injured than in any month since May 2022, as the Russian Federation intensified attacks along the frontline and on cities across the country.

“My staff on the ground are working to document these violations, together with those committed by Ukraine. Negotiations to stop the fighting need to focus on immediate steps to protect civilians and safeguard the rights of people in occupied territory, as well as end torture and ill treatment. Lasting peace can only come with full respect for international law.”

In Sudan, both the Rapid Support Forces – the RSF – and the Sudanese Armed Forces continue to show an utter disregard for international humanitarian and human rights law, the High Commissioner said.

“Thousands of civilians have been killed this year, and hostilities are intensifying in Darfur and Kordofan. Both sides target health facilities, markets, and water plants. The scale of the suffering of the Sudanese people across this vast country is unfathomable, demanding the full attention of the world.”

Turning to Gaza, the High Commissioner said: “Israel’s mass killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza; its infliction of indescribable suffering and wholesale destruction; its hindering of sufficient lifesaving aid and the ensuing starvation of civilians; its killing of journalists, UN staff and NGO workers, and its commission of war crime upon war crime, are shocking the conscience of the world. I am horrified by the open use of genocidal rhetoric, and the disgraceful dehumanization of Palestinians by senior Israeli officials.”

He continued: “Israel has a legal obligation to take the steps ordered by the International Court of Justice, to prevent acts of genocide, punish incitement to genocide, and ensure enough aid reaches Palestinians in Gaza. My Office’s monitoring and reporting are an important contribution to future accountability. Israel has a case to answer before the ICJ, and the evidence continues to mount. But we need action now, to end the carnage.

The international community is failing in its duty. We are failing the people of Gaza.

Where are the decisive steps to prevent genocide? Why are countries not doing more to avert atrocity crimes? Inaction is not an option. They must stop the flow to Israel of arms that risk violating the laws of war.”

Countries must apply maximum pressure for a ceasefire, the release of hostages and those arbitrarily detained, and the entry of sufficient humanitarian aid into Gaza – through all the means at their disposal, said Türk.

International human rights law protects all, including the most vulnerable. Yet attacks on minorities of all kinds are growing, as States roll back commitments to tackle and prevent discrimination.

“Policies and practices that violate the rights of migrants and refugees are becoming normalized in some countries. Pakistan and Iran have forcibly returned millions of Afghans to their country, and India has also deported groups of Rohingya Muslims by land and sea,” Türk said.

“I am also concerned about recent measures taken by Germany, Greece, Hungary, and other European countries to limit the right to seek asylum. The United States has reportedly reached agreement with several governments, including El Salvador, South Sudan, Eswatini and Rwanda, on deporting third country nationals to places other than their homeland, raising concerns about compliance with international law,” he said.

“Kuwait has revoked the citizenship of thousands of people in recent years, leaving many stateless. In Cambodia, changes to the constitution and nationality law allow the authorities to remove citizenship in cases of treason, creating further ways for them to target their critics. In a positive development, North Macedonia has resolved all known cases of statelessness since the dissolution of the former Yugoslavia – the first country in the region to do so,” the High Commissioner said.

Peace and security depend on full respect for human rights, everywhere. When the Security Council, the General Assembly, this Council or other intergovernmental institutions discuss the human rights situation in a particular country, it is because this concerns us all, in every country, Turk said.

The United Nations Charter gave birth to a new geopolitical era by enshrining the sovereign equality of States. National sovereignty is the foundation of multilateral institutions and international law.

“When States sign international agreements, they are exercising their national sovereignty – not limiting it. And with that sovereignty comes responsibility. Sovereignty does not mean ownership of people,” the High Commissioner said.

“As my update shows, there are coordinated efforts to undermine human rights and the rule of law around the world. When States cut ties with the system or try to weaken it - when they isolate themselves - everybody loses,”he said.

“Therefore, I hope to work with you on a new initiative, through an alliance of Member States, philanthropies, civil society and others, to strengthen the human rights ecosystem and join the dots between abuses and violations, and crisis prevention,” he said.

In his global update, the High Commissioner highlighted the situation in a number of other countries as detailed below.

ENDS

For more information and media requests, please contact:

In Geneva

Ravina Shamdasani: +41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.org

Liz Throssell: +41 22 917 9296 / elizabeth.throssell@un.org

Jeremy Laurence: +41 22 917 9383 / jeremy.laurence@un.org

Marta Hurtado: + 41 22 917 9466 / marta.hurtadogomez@un.org

Thameen Al-Kheetan: +41 76 223 7762/ thameen.alkheetan@un.org

WhatsApp

X @UNHumanRights

Facebook unitednationshumanrights