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UN Human Rights Chief Faces Opposition in Vote to Extend His Term for Another Four Years
Russia and Israel oppose Volker Turk’s four-year extension as diplomats say Washington has raised doubts, turning a routine reappointment into a contested vote.
- On Friday, the 193-member UN General Assembly will vote on an unprecedented bid to grant High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk a second four-year term, following a push by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres before his December departure.
- Russia submitted a counter-proposal to limit Turk's extension to just two months until year-end, while Israel and the United States raised doubts, transforming what was expected to be consensus-backed into a contentious vote.
- Critics, including former Human Rights Watch chief Kenneth Roth, condemned the process as "clandestine," citing Turk's pattern of selective silence on major abusers alongside disproportionate criticism of democracies over two years.
- On Thursday, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric defended the process, stating Guterres is "following the rules," while Turk's office spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan added: "I believe the High Commissioner is ready to serve."
- Some diplomats privately questioned granting a full term now, arguing the decision should instead be determined by Guterres' successor when his decade-long tenure concludes in December, avoiding constraints on new leadership.
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42 Articles
42 Articles
UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk remains in office for a further four years. The UN General Assembly voted in favour of a mandate extension by a majority against the resistance of Russia, Israel and the United States.
·Hamburg, Germany
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The United States, Russia and Israel strongly opposed Türk's extension.
·Helsinki, Finland
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The vote was preceded by a debate with some critical criticism of the diplomat.
·Vienna, Austria
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UN assembly approves four-year extension in mandate of rights chief
July 24 (Reuters) - The United Nations General Assembly on Friday voted overwhelmingly in favor to extend the term of U.N. Human Rights chief Volker Turk for four more years, in spite of opposition from Russia, Israel and the United States. A la...
Coverage Details
Total News Sources42
Leaning Left11Leaning Right7Center16Last UpdatedBias Distribution47% Center
Bias Distribution
- 47% of the sources are Center
47% Center
L 32%
C 47%
R 21%
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