UN assembly renews Volker Turk's rights chief mandate despite opposition

The United Nations General Assembly voted Friday to renew Volker Turk's mandate as high commissioner for human rights for four years, despite strong opposition from the United States, Russia and Israel. The assembly approved the renewal by 144 votes in favor, 10 against and 13 abstentions. The new term begins on October 12, 2026, as proposed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. An alternative Russian proposal to extend the mandate only until December 31, 2026, was overwhelmingly rejected, as was a US request to postpone the vote. Jeff Bartos, the US representative for UN management and reform, criticized the four-year renewal on procedural and substantive grounds and accused Guterres of rushing the process. He warned before the vote that the United States would immediately reassess its engagement, participation and funding if the assembly tolerated what he called procedural overreach, backroom deals and misuse of UN posts. Turk, who is from Austria, has served as high commissioner since October 2022.