United Nations Human Rights chief Volker Turk, an outspoken critic of Russia‘s war in Ukraine and Israel’s conduct in Gaza, faces opposition from both countries to a second four-year term ahead of a vote today, diplomats tell Reuters.
Turk, a lawyer who has worked for the United Nations for decades, finishes his first four-year term in October.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who has worked closely with Turk in the past and steps down in December, has proposed another full term for the Austrian.
However, Russia has submitted a counter-proposal to extend his term by just over two months to the end of 2026, according to a copy seen by Reuters.
Three diplomats say Israel also opposes a four-year extension and that Washington has raised doubts, turning what had been expected to be a consensus reappointment into a contentious vote.
Others have also privately said Guterres’ successor should have a say.
Since the vote is in the UN General Assembly, the veto powers held by Russia and the other four permanent members of the UN Security Council — China, the United States, Britain and France — do not apply.
A US State Department spokesperson calls the move to reappoint Turk a “process foul” and says it “is another example of the UN’s inherent corruption and incompetence by rushing this vote and preventing adequate debate and oversight by member countries.”
Israel’s Foreign Ministry calls Guterres’ re-proposal of Turk a “moral failure” on X and says the choice should be left to his successor.
Asked about Turk’s reappointment this week, a spokesperson for his office said: “I believe the High Commissioner is ready to serve.”
Turk has condemned what he calls Israel’s “mass killing” in Gaza, although some, including his own staff, regret that he did not call the killings a genocide — an allegation Israel vehemently denies.
He has accused Russia of severe violations of human rights and international humanitarian law since its 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, allegations Moscow denies.
He has called for investigations into deaths in US immigration custody and denounced hostilities between the United States and Iran. Washington has defended its standard of care in custody.
No other known candidates are under consideration for the position.