🔶 UN General Assembly extends Volker Türk’s mandate

🔶 UN General Assembly extends Volker Türk’s mandate

Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, will remain in his post for another four years. The UN General Assembly approved the extension of the mandate of this Austrian official, with 144 votes out of 193 member countries.

António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, had proposed Türk for another full term, as his first mandate period ends in October.

Türk’s new term begins in October this year and, as scheduled, will continue until 2030.

Russia, Israel and the United States were among the countries that opposed extending Türk’s mandate.

In the past, Türk has criticized both Russia’s war against Ukraine and Israel’s performance in the Gaza Strip.

Russia had submitted an alternative proposal under which Türk’s mandate would be extended only until the end of 2026.

Russia’s mission to the UN argued that a four-year extension would deprive the future UN Secretary-General of the authority to choose this important official.

Guterres is due to step down in December.