Kenya backs second term for UN rights chief Volker Türk despite US, Russia opposition

Kenya backs second term for UN rights chief Volker Türk despite US, Russia opposition
Kenya backs second term for UN rights chief Volker Türk despite US, Russia opposition - United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk. (Photo: X/ Volker Turk)
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk. (Photo: X/ Volker Turk)

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A total of 144 countries voted in favour of Secretary-General António Guterres’ recommendation to reappoint the Austrian lawyer, while 10 voted against and 13 abstained.

Kenya joined 143 other UN member states in backing a second four-year term for Volker Türk as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, brushing aside objections from the United States and Russia.
The overwhelming vote by the 193-member UN General Assembly (UNGA) extends Türk’s mandate from October 12, 2026 to October 11, 2030.
A total of 144 countries voted in favour of Secretary-General António Guterres’ recommendation to reappoint the Austrian lawyer, while 10 voted against and 13 abstained.

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Before the final vote, the General Assembly rejected a Russian proposal that sought to extend Türk’s mandate by only about two months, until the end of 2026.
Türk has emerged as one of the UN’s most outspoken human rights officials, criticising Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, and calling for investigations into deaths in US immigration detention centres.
His positions have drawn criticism from Moscow, Tel Aviv and Washington.

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Ahead of the vote, the United States warned it would review its funding and cooperation with the United Nations if Türk’s mandate was renewed.
According to Reuters, the vote underscored growing tensions between President Donald Trump’s administration and the United Nations over the direction of the global human rights agenda.
Türk, who has served as UN High Commissioner since 2022, will become the first holder of the office to complete two full four-year terms.

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