UN Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Türk's remarks to opening of High level segment of the Human Rights Council

“A fierce competition for power, control and resources is playing out on the world stage at a rate and intensity unseen for the past 80 years,” Türk said.

People are feeling unmoored, anxious and insecure. The gears of global power are shifting; the consequences are not clear, he said.

“Some are signalling the end of the world order as we know it. But today, I want to talk about another world order. A foundational system of how people relate to each other, based on our inherent worth, our hopes, and our common values. I am referring to people’s pursuit of dignity, equality, and justice,” he said.

“The use of force to resolve disputes between and within countries is becoming normalized.

Inflammatory threats against sovereign nations are thrown about, with no regard to the fire they could ignite,” the High Commissioner added.

“The laws of war are being brutally violated. Mass civilian suffering – from Sudan, to Gaza, to Ukraine, to Myanmar – is unfolding before our eyes.”

In Sudan, there needs to be accountability for all violations by all parties – notably, the war crimes and possible crimes against humanity committed by the Rapid Support Forces in El Fasher. Such atrocities must not be repeated in Kordofan or elsewhere. All those with influence need to act urgently to put an end to this senseless war.

The situation in Gaza remains catastrophic. Palestinians are still dying from Israeli fire, cold, hunger, and treatable diseases. The aid allowed in is not enough to meet the massive needs. There are concerns over ethnic cleansing in both Gaza and the West Bank, where Israel is accelerating efforts to consolidate unlawful annexation. Any sustainable solution must be based on two states living side by side in equal dignity and rights, in line with UN resolutions and international law.

Tomorrow marks four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Four interminable and agonizing years. Civilian casualties have soared, and Russia’s systematic attacks on Ukraine’s energy and water infrastructure could amount to international crimes. The fighting needs to end, and I urge a focus on human rights and justice in any ceasefire or peace agreement.

Across most violent conflicts today, journalists, health and aid workers are targeted, in blatant violation of international law. These actions must not be allowed to harden into the new normal.

Meanwhile, violence and tensions are resurging in some countries, including South Sudan and Ethiopia. And authorities in Iran have violently repressed mass protests with lethal force, killing thousands.

“States need to be persistent objectors to violations of the law – by pursuing accountability, and by clearly denouncing these egregious crimes with consistency, and without exception,” Türk said.

“Developments around the world point to a deeply worrying trend: domination and supremacy are making a comeback. If we listen to the rhetoric of some leaders, what lurks behind it is a belief that they are above the law, and above the UN Charter,” Türk said.

“They claim exceptional status, exceptional danger or exceptional moral judgement to pursue their own agenda at any cost. And why wouldn’t they try, when they are unlikely to face consequences? They build and sustain systems that perpetuate inequalities within and between countries. Some weaponise their economic leverage. They spread disinformation to distract, silence and marginalize,” he said.

“A tight clique of tech tycoons controls an outsize proportion of global information flows, distorting public debate, markets, and even governance systems. Corporate and state interests ravage our environment, robbing the riches of the earth for their own gain.”

But at the same time, people are not watching all this from the sidelines. They are activating their power, from the ground up. Women and young people especially are leading these movements. They are claiming their right to basic living conditions, to fair pay, to bodily autonomy, to self-determination, to be heard, to vote freely, and many other rights.

From Nepal to Madagascar, from Serbia to Peru and beyond, people are demanding equality and denouncing corruption.

“When we come together, we wield more power than any autocrat or tech billionaire. The struggle for human rights can never be derailed by the whims of a handful of leaders with reactionary, supremacist agendas,” Türk said.

“While some States are weakening the multilateral system, we need bolder and more joined-up responses. First, this means calling out violations of international law, regardless of the perpetrators. Second, we need stronger commitment to accountability. Third, let’s forge coalitions to champion what unites us, and uphold equality, dignity, and justice for all.”

ENDS

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

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