NNA - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has sounded the alarm on escalating global instability, warning that conflicts, authoritarianism, and human rights abuses are threatening the international order. Addressing the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Türk described a world in turmoil, with over 120 active conflicts and an increasing disregard for international law.  

“War is the ultimate violation of human rights,” Türk stated, condemning deliberate attacks on civilians, the use of sexual violence and famine as weapons of war, and the targeting of humanitarian workers. He reported that 356 aid workers were killed in 2024 alone— a record high.  

The High Commissioner highlighted several crisis zones:  

- Sudan: Türk warned that the ongoing conflict threatens to engulf the region, with civilians suffering as warring factions fight for power and resources.  
- Ukraine: Civilian casualties rose 30% in 2024, as Russian forces intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leaving millions without essential services. Türk condemned reports of summary executions and widespread torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war.  
- Gaza and the West Bank: Türk criticized Israel’s response to Hamas’ October 2023 attacks, stating that its military actions had "razed the territory" and caused immense suffering. He called for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and unrestricted humanitarian access. He also condemned Israeli military tactics in the West Bank, including airstrikes and mass displacement.  
- Democratic Republic of the Congo: The recent escalation in violence has killed thousands and displaced over half a million people in 2025 alone, with horrifying reports of rape, sexual slavery, and executions.  
- Myanmar: Türk labeled 2024 the deadliest year since the 2021 military coup, citing airstrikes, mass arrests, and forced conscription. He urged the international community to cut off the military’s access to arms and funding.  
- Haiti: Spiraling gang violence led to over 5,600 deaths in 2024, with rampant kidnappings and sexual violence. Türk called for immediate international action, including the full implementation of the UN arms embargo.  
- Yemen: Ongoing hostilities continue to devastate the country, with nearly 20 million people in need of humanitarian aid. Türk condemned the arbitrary detention of UN staff by Houthi forces and demanded their release.  

Türk emphasized that the lack of accountability for past war crimes has fueled further atrocities. He cited the destruction of hospitals in Syria and Yemen as a direct precursor to the decimation of healthcare systems in Gaza and Sudan. He welcomed recent convictions for war crimes in Sweden and Mexico but stressed that justice remains the exception rather than the rule.  

Beyond conflict zones, Türk expressed concern over rising authoritarianism, the erosion of civic space, and the normalization of extreme rhetoric. He criticized:  

- The U.S. and Europe: He warned against growing political polarization, disinformation, and attacks on independent media.  
- China: He raised concerns over arbitrary detentions, national security crackdowns in Hong Kong, and abuses against Uyghurs and Tibetans.  
- Russia and Belarus: Türk condemned the crackdown on civil society, labeling critics as “foreign agents” and stifling dissent.  
- India: He urged the government to protect journalists and human rights defenders, particularly in Kashmir and Manipur.  
- Iran and Afghanistan: He denounced Afghanistan’s gender apartheid and Iran’s repressive laws against women and minorities, calling for an end to mass executions.  

Türk stressed that corporate accountability, climate action, and responsible technology governance are essential for global stability. He warned against the unchecked power of tech companies, which he described as modern-day “oligarchs” with unprecedented control over personal data and public discourse. 

Concluding his address, Türk argued that human rights are the foundation for sustainable peace. He urged governments to reinvest in multilateralism, uphold international law, and strengthen mechanisms for justice and accountability. “We must cherish the values of respect, unity, and solidarity,” he declared, calling on world leaders to act decisively before global instability spirals further out of control.

==========R.H.