United Nations member states have voted to reappoint Volker Türk as High Commissioner for Human Rights, securing him a second four‑year term in office, Al Jazeera reports.
Türk, who has been outspoken in his criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and across the wider region, won Friday’s ballot by 144 votes to 10, with 13 abstentions. His current mandate was due to expire on 11 October.
If he completes the new term, Türk will become the first UN rights chief to serve two full terms since the post was created in 1993. However, the United States, Israel, Russia, North Korea and six other nations opposed his re‑election.
Türk expressed gratitude after the vote, writing on social media: “Human rights are the antidote to today’s turbulence and defeatism. I will give my all for the rights of everyone, everywhere.”
A lawyer by training, Türk has spent most of his career within the UN system, including senior roles at the UN refugee agency (UNHCR).
His tenure has been marked by sharp criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, Lebanon, and the occupied Palestinian territories, where he has condemned what he called a “shameful” lack of accountability for rights abuses.
He has repeatedly urged Israel to comply with international humanitarian law and warned that the state is responsible for violations it commits.
The European Union welcomed his reappointment, saying it looked forward to continued cooperation to “promote and protect human rights worldwide.”
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, denounced Türk’s record, accusing his office of “erasing the atrocities of 7 October, misusing funds, and betraying UN neutrality in favor of corrupt political radicalism.”
Leading rights groups and UN experts have accused Israel of committing widespread abuses, including genocide in Gaza.
The United States also voiced strong opposition. Jeff Bartos, its representative for UN Management and Reform, said the UN human rights system had been “losing credibility for decades” and claimed Türk “led it to its deathbed” as Friday’s vote “kicked the bucket.”
Washington, Israel’s closest ally and weapons supplier, has long clashed with the rights office over its stance on Gaza.
UN Secretary‑General António Guterres faced criticism for the way the vote was handled. Earlier this month, he informed regional groups of his intention to reappoint Türk and moved quickly to hold the ballot.
The US State Department called the process “another example of the UN’s inherent corruption and incompetence,” accusing Türk of ignoring “real atrocities” while pursuing “a radical ideological agenda.”
Türk’s re‑election sets the stage for another four years of contentious debate over human rights at the UN, with his office expected to remain at the center of disputes over Gaza, Lebanon, and other flashpoints worldwide.
