{"id":1994,"date":"2026-07-24T18:40:07","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T18:40:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=1994"},"modified":"2026-07-24T18:40:07","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T18:40:07","slug":"un-human-rights-chief-faces-opposition-in-vote-to-extend-his-term-for-another-four-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=1994","title":{"rendered":"UN human rights chief faces opposition in vote to extend his term for another four years"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

UNITED NATIONS (AP) \u2014 U.N. human rights chief Volker T\u00fcrk<\/span> faces a vote Friday for a second four-year term but is running into opposition from critics and some countries for his criticism of Israel\u2019s attacks in Gaza<\/span> and his approach to China\u2019s crackdown on its Uyghur minority<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Read more ICC chief prosecutor removed from post over sexual misconduct allegations, diplomats tell AP<\/a><\/p>\n

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres quietly nominated the Austrian lawyer for a second term. After private consultations but no public discussion, the 193-member General Assembly scheduled a vote on his reappointment for Friday afternoon. <\/p>\n

Former head of Human Rights Watch Ken Roth called it \u201ca stealth procedure\u201d to avoid scrutiny by civil society and the public. <\/p>\n

The job of the U.N. rights chief, by its nature, is tricky: It requires speaking out against rights violations by the governments of the countries that make up the membership of the world body. For instance, T\u00fcrk has sharply criticized Russia\u2019s 2022 invasion of Ukraine<\/span>.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

Some suggest an extension for T\u00fcrk until the end of the year<\/h2>\n

T\u00fcrk\u2019s term expires on Oct. 11, and Russia\u2019s U.N. Mission said it has proposed extending his term just until Dec. 31 \u2014 the day Guterres\u2019 second five-year term as secretary-general ends.<\/p>\n

Russia called Guterres\u2019 effort to give T\u00fcrk four more years as U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights<\/span> \u201cunprecedented.\u201d None of his predecessors have served two full terms since the job was created in 1993.<\/p>\n

An extension just until the end of the year would leave the choice of a new human rights chief to the next secretary-general. Six candidates are vying to be the new U.N. chief<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Guterres sent letters to regional groups at the United Nations earlier this month informing them of his intention to reappoint T\u00fcrk. The African group had no objection, but the Latin American countries had several, including Nicaragua, Argentina and Paraguay.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Israel\u2019s Foreign Ministry called Guterres\u2019 action to get a second term for T\u00fcrk the U.N. secretary-general\u2019s \u201clatest moral failure,\u201d saying on social media that the choice should be left to his successor. <\/p>\n

\u201cAfter years of bias against Israel, the answer is accountability \u2014 not rewriting the rules,\u201d the ministry said.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

Guterres is \u2018following the rules\u2019 on the reappointment, UN says<\/h2>\n

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric, says Guterres is following the 1993 resolution that established a U.N. high commissioner for human rights and allows for a second term.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe secretary-general is doing things in a very transparent manner, following the rules and his authority,\u201d Dujarric told reporters Friday. \u201cConsultations were had with member states prior to this and with regional groups.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more Ukraine\u2019s Zelenskyy says he\u2019s in talks with a US company to jointly produce Patriot air defenses<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n
\nSign up for Morning Wire:<\/strong>
\n Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day.\n <\/div>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n
\n