Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, has proposed a four-year extension of the mandate of Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, which has met with opposition from Russia and Israel and doubts from the United States.

The UN General Assembly is set to vote on continuing Türk’s mandate, whose current term ends in October.

Russia has proposed that his mandate be extended only until the end of 2026 so that the next Secretary-General can select a new commissioner.

During his time in office, Türk has criticized Russia’s performance in Ukraine, Israel in Gaza, and the United States over the detention of migrants and clashes with the Islamic Republic.

Despite the objections, diplomats say he enjoys broad support from European countries and many governments in Latin America, and the African Union also has no objection to a four-year extension of his mandate. At present, no other candidate for the post has been put forward.

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