Stories written by Volker Turk

The “Extremely Dangerous and Unpredictable” situation in Middle East and Beyond

By Volker Turk
More than three weeks after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, the conflict is spreading and intensifying in the region and beyond, with civilians bearing the brunt. Families across the region marked Eid and Nowruz under fire, in fear and uncertainty, and facing further hardship.

Over 25,500 Palestinians Killed: Absence of Accountability is Nothing Short of Shameful

By Volker Turk
The situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is a human-made disaster. The report before you sets out events between 1 November 2024 and 31 October 2025 that show Israel’s utter disregard for human rights in Gaza and the West Bank, and the serious violations also committed by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups.

People’s Pursuit of Dignity, Equality and Justice is Unshakeable

By Volker Turk
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. People are feeling unmoored, anxious and insecure. The gears of global power are shifting; the consequences are not clear. Some are signalling the end of the world order as we know it.

UN Human Rights Office Remains Under-Funded & Under-Resourced

By Volker Turk
In December last year, I launched our year-long commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We have since issued a series of initiatives calling on States and all others to make pledges, and to take clear steps to fulfil the promises of the Universal Declaration.
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