UN defies US, Israel; extends Volker Türk's term as Human Rights chief

New York: Defying pressure from the United States and strong political opposition, the UN General Assembly has approved a four-year extension for UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk by an overwhelming majority.

Türk's reappointment, proposed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres ahead of the expiry of his current term in October, was backed by 144 of the 193 member states. Ten countries voted against the move, while 13 abstained. The Assembly also rejected Russia's proposal to grant him only a two-month extension until the end of the year. The European Union, African and Latin American countries, as well as China, supported his second term.

Türk has drawn criticism from Russia, Israel and the United States for his outspoken positions on global human rights issues. He has strongly criticised Russia's invasion of Ukraine, condemned Israel's actions in Gaza and called for an investigation into deaths at US immigration detention centres, bringing him into conflict with all three countries.

Ahead of the vote, Washington warned that the decision had been taken without proper consultations or due process and said it would review its funding and participation in response. The US State Department also described the process as constitutionally flawed. Russia accused Türk of political bias and making baseless allegations over the Ukraine conflict, while Israel denounced the decision to retain him as a moral failure.

Human rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch, welcomed the reappointment, arguing that strong leadership is essential at a time of escalating human rights abuses worldwide.

An Austrian lawyer who has served the United Nations for decades, Volker Türk is set to become the first UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to serve two consecutive four-year terms.