Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, delivered a sobering message to the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva on Monday. He described the current global situation as an "age of extremes," characterized by intensifying warfare, "painful polarization," climate instability, and the swift and often unregulated growth of artificial intelligence.
Addressing delegates, Türk cautioned against the notion that these global crises are inevitable. He attributed this idea to "tech moguls, populists, and vested interests, amplified by social media echo chambers." Instead, he urged a return to universal human values, noting that history is defined by ""brave people who took action to resist oppression and demand their rights."
“People who called out injustice and inequality. People who refused to accept their fate, coming together to channel the universal values that underpin our humanity,” he said.
“This truth is a force to be reckoned with, underpinning all we are doing.”
The UN human rights chief expressed grave concern over the erosion of respect for international human rights, humanitarian law, and the United Nations Charter itself. He noted that the world is currently witnessing a surge in state-level violence.
“There are now more than 60 wars involving at least one state – the highest number since the end of the Second World War,” Türk said, warning that this trend is taking the international community into "particularly dangerous territory."
He specifically highlighted the volatile situation in the Middle East and expressed alarm over the resumption of attacks between the United States and Iran. Türk pointed out that these tensions are affecting the entire Gulf region.
"Recent reports of civilian deaths and injuries, including at a wedding in Hormozgan province, are particularly concerning," he said.
“The geopolitical and economic impacts of this entirely avoidable crisis are again reverberating around the world, and I appeal for an immediate return to negotiations.”
Turning to Europe, Türk described Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine—now in its fifth year—as being on a "menacing trajectory." He underscored the "soaring civilian casualties" and the systematic targeting of energy infrastructure.
“While the overwhelming majority of civilians killed are Ukrainians, there are also reports of growing numbers of deaths and injuries in Russia,” said the UN human rights chief.
In the Middle East, the High Commissioner condemned the ongoing situation in Gaza, where, according to figures from the Palestinian Ministry of Health, Israel has killed more than 1,300 Palestinians in daily strikes despite a ceasefire announced almost a year ago.
Türk criticized "dehumanizing rhetoric" from senior Israeli officials and expressed alarm at "proposals for the forced expulsion of all Palestinians from the Gaza Strip." He also noted that "armed groups affiliated with Hamas have executed and tortured several Palestinians suspected of collaboration."
Regarding the West Bank, the human rights chief described Israel’s annexation as "unfolding unobstructed," despite the International Court of Justice's "clear ruling." He called for an end to the transfer of arms to Israel that could be used to violate international law and urged companies to end business practices that support illegal settlements.
"We need far greater efforts by the international community towards sustainable peace, in which Palestine and Israel live side by side in equal dignity and rights, in line with UN resolutions and international law," he said.
“Words of condemnation ring hollow in the face of deliberate violations and suffering.”
In Lebanon, the High Commissioner demanded that Israeli forces cease attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, noting that an assessment team is investigating violations committed by Israel and Hezbollah since March 2.
In addition, he addressed the deteriorating humanitarian emergency in Sudan, where the war is expanding and parties "continue to launch attacks on markets, hospitals, fuel stations and other civilian infrastructure."
Türk urged the Human Rights Council to focus on the "deteriorating situation in Kordofan, Blue Nile, and North and West Darfur," calling for an "immediate ceasefire, an end to foreign involvement, and a return to inclusive civilian rule."
The High Commissioner noted that detailed updates on the situations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, and Myanmar would be provided later during the current Human Rights Council session.
“War reflects the failure of our humanity. The pursuit of peace embodies humanity at its best,” he said.
“The vast majority of people everywhere want peace – and they need our support.”
His address also highlighted several "places around the world where people are neither at war, nor at peace." The Commissioner expressed concern over renewed hostilities in South Sudan and escalating tensions in Yemen.
“In Ethiopia, civilians are bearing the brunt of attacks in Amhara and Oromia, and of renewed tensions in Tigray,” he said, calling on all parties to end attacks against civilians and to respect international law, and for the government to "deliver transitional justice and accountability."
Beyond physical warfare, Türk identified the rise of digital tools as an unprecedented threat to human agency. He criticized the concentration of power within a few massive technology firms, arguing that the development of AI currently serves profit over people.
“A handful of men has almost unlimited power over AI, which we are repeatedly told has unimaginable computing capacity. They talk about freedom, but on closer inspection, this turns out to be little more than the freedom to exploit our data,” Türk said.
He called for an "all-out effort" to establish "cast iron guarantees" regarding AI safety and security.
The human rights chief announced his intention to write directly to AI companies to urge them to implement risk-reduction measures. These measures would include establishing "agreed red lines" between countries hosting AI and those involved in its supply chains.
His speech also touched on the widening chasm of economic inequality. Türk argued that current business models are "squeezing our planet — and its people — past breaking point," noting that the International Labor Organization estimates economic growth over the last two decades has disproportionately benefited owners and investors over workers.
Finally, Türk addressed the "tide of systemic discrimination" that is sweeping across the globe. He highlighted the alarming trend of femicide and the "gender-based apartheid" that women and girls face in Afghanistan.
He reiterated his call to the de facto Taliban authorities in Afghanistan “to rescind their appalling decrees and policies effectively criminalizing the presence of women and girls in public life. “
He also condemned the deliberate undermining of the rights of people of African descent, as well as the use of social media to portray migrants, refugees, and minorities as a "collective threat."
“Racism is one of society’s deepest ills,” Türk concluded, warning that these depictions have already led to targeted attacks against entire communities in several countries.
He urged the United States to halt the return of people to places where they could suffer irreparable harm, including Haiti, and to ensure due process for all removals to third countries.
“In China, tightening restrictions on the rights of the Tibetan people, including their freedom of religion, are deeply troubling”, Türk said, appealing to the country to urgently reverse such policies.
He again expressed deep concern about the “situation in China’s Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, including in detention facilities.”
Further information
Full text: Global Update to the 63rd session of the Human Rights Council, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, remarks, delivered September 7, 2026
https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2026/09/high-commissioner-turk-updates-human-rights-council-human-rights