The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, presented a concerning report on the current state of humanity on Monday, highlighting the rise of glorification of violence and the erosion of international law. During his address at the Human Rights Council, Türk evidenced the proliferation of war propaganda, manifested in military parades and pro-war rhetoric, and lamented the lack of initiatives promoting peace worldwide.
Türk emphasized the need to strengthen multilateralism and warned against the misinterpretation of national sovereignty, stating that it should not be used as an excuse to evade international scrutiny. “Sovereignty does not mean ownership over people,” he asserted, urging a view of commitment to international agreements as an extension of sovereignty, not a restriction.
The report also addressed the troubling disintegration of multilateral frameworks. Türk mentioned the withdrawal of the United States from various international agreements and the decline in global cooperation. His criticism particularly focused on current conflicts such as in Gaza, where he described Israeli actions as “shocking to the world’s conscience” and condemned the genocidal rhetoric and dehumanization of Palestinians by high-ranking Israeli officials.
In the context of Ukraine, Türk warned that the war has taken on an even deadlier character, with an increase in civilian casualties due to Russian attacks. He described assaults on civilian infrastructure and the treatment of prisoners as serious violations of international law.
Regarding Latin America, he expressed concern over recent legislation in Ecuador and Peru that could limit civic space and weaken justice. He also noted Venezuela’s intent to dissociate from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights as an example of the global trend towards evading accountability mechanisms.
Türk also highlighted the less visible crises in regions like Sudan, Myanmar, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where human rights violations are alarming and human suffering is significant. In light of this grim situation, he called for a “trans-regional movement” to defend the international system and expressed his desire to establish a new alliance among states, philanthropists, and civil society to reinforce human rights.
Despite the general concerns, Türk pointed out some positive advancements in human rights, citing examples of countries that have ratified international covenants and made decisions favoring justice and accountability. These gestures, he concluded, demonstrate that the international system can benefit both states and their citizens in a concrete manner.
Source: MiMub in Spanish
