World News in Brief: Türk slams relentless Russian attacks, Gaza update, Cyclone Gezani hits Madagascar

His reaction followed overnight attacks on energy infrastructure in Kyiv, Dnipro and the key port city of Odesa. Nearly 8,800 multistorey buildings in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa are without heating. In Kharkiv, temperatures are forecast to drop to minus 10°C or 14°F on Thursday evening, said Viktoriia Andrievska from the UN aid coordination office, OCHA. […]

Ethiopia: Türk fears new crisis in Tigray amid renewed fighting

Ethiopia: Türk fears new crisis in Tigray amid renewed fighting

“The situation remains highly volatile and we fear it will further deteriorate, worsening the region’s already precarious human rights and humanitarian situation,” Mr. Türk said, following clashes in recent days between the Ethiopian army and regional forces. The development comes against a backdrop of deadly conflict in Tigray from 2020 to 2022 between Government troops and […]

‘Human rights cannot wait’: Türk launches $400 million appeal for 2026

‘Human rights cannot wait’: Türk launches $400 million appeal for 2026

He warned Member States that with crises mounting, the world cannot afford a human rights system in crisis.  “The cost of our work is low; the human cost of underinvestment is immeasurable,” he said.  “In times of conflict and in times of peace, we are a lifeline for the abused, a megaphone for the silenced, a steadfast ally to those […]

Human rights must anchor the digital age, says UN’s Türk

Human rights must anchor the digital age, says UN’s Türk

Digital technologies have the potential to drive progress and strengthen rights, including connecting people, improving access to health and education, and much more. But the pace of their evolution also poses serious risks, warned Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights – from restrictions on free expression and privacy violations to discrimination and growing […]

‘Behind each crisis, people are suffering,’ Türk tells Human Rights Council

‘Behind each crisis, people are suffering,’ Türk tells Human Rights Council

“We are on an indefensible path of escalating conflict and open disregard for international human rights and humanitarian law,” said Volker Türk, addressing the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Offering a global overview, he painted a stark picture of a world in crisis – with surging armed conflict, deepening climate disruption, emerging technological threats, […]

UN’s Türk criticises ‘draconian’ decree limiting dissent in Mali

UN’s Türk criticises ‘draconian’ decree limiting dissent in Mali

Volker Türk on Friday called the decree “draconian” and urged Mali’s Transitional President, General Assimi Goïta, to reverse the decree issued earlier this week. Signed on 13 May, the decree dissolves all political parties and “organizations of a political nature” nationwide. It was preceded by the repeal of legislation that had safeguarded political participation. “Any […]

World News in Brief: South Sudan urged to avoid slide to war, Türk calls on EU not to weaken landmark law, Ukraine and Mali updates

World News in Brief: South Sudan urged to avoid slide to war, Türk calls on EU not to weaken landmark law, Ukraine and Mali updates

The Quartet is calling on the country’s leaders to end hostilities and return to dialogue to fully implement the 2018 peace agreement known as the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS). South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, gained independence in 2011 but soon descended into a […]