Volker Türk

In 1991, Türk became a UN Junior Professional Officer and had a temporary assignment in Kuwait funded by the Austrian Foreign Ministry. He then held posts with the UNHCR in different regions of the world, including Malaysia, Kosovo, Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He later became the Director of the Division of International Protection at UNHCR headquarters in Geneva.{{cite web |url=https://www.tt.com/artikel/11482513/universitaet-graz-zeichnet-bemuehungen-des-unhcr-aus |title=University of Graz honours UNHCR efforts |work=Tiroler Tageszeitung |date=10 May 2016}} In February 2015, he was appointed Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, making him the highest-ranking Austrian UN official; he played a role in the development of the Global Compact on Refugees.{{cite web |title=Global Compact on Refugees: Thematic discussions |date=10 July 2017 |url=https://www.unhcr.org/events/thematic-discussions |publisher=UNHCR}}

On 18 April 2019, Türk was appointed by Secretary-General António Guterres to be Assistant Secretary-General for Strategic Coordination in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General at the UN Secretariat.{{cite web |url=https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/profiles/volker-t%C3%BCrk-0 |title=Volker Türk: Assistant Secretary-General for Strategic Coordination, Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG) |work=un.org |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Mr. Volker Türk of Austria - Assistant Secretary-General for Strategic Coordination in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General |url=https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/personnel-appointments/2019-04-18/mr-volker-türk-of-austria-assistant-secretary-general-for-strategic-coordination-the-executive-office-of-the-secretary-general |website=un.org |access-date=11 September 2022 |date=18 April 2019}} From 2021 to 2022, he served as Under-Secretary-General for Policy in the Executive Office.{{cite news |title=Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday appointed Volker Türk of Austria as the next United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, following approval by the General Assembly |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/09/1126291 |access-date=11 September 2022 |agency=UN News |date=8 September 2022}} Türk coordinated UN global policy work and follow-up to the Secretary-General’s “Call to Action for Human Rights” and report, "Our Common Agenda".{{Cite web |last=Nations |first=United |title=Summit of the Future website |url=https://www.un.org/en/summit-of-the-future |access-date=28 May 2024 |website=United Nations |language=en}}

On 8 September 2022, Türk was selected to be the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.{{cite web |url=https://www.srf.ch/news/international/nachfolge-von-bachelet-uno-ernennt-neuen-menschenrechtskommissar |title=Successor to Bachelet - UN appoints new Commissioner for Human Rights |work=srf.ch |date=9 September 2022}}{{cite web |title=Volker Türk United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/about-us/high-commissioner/volker-turk |website=ohchr.org |access-date=11 September 2022}}Emma Farge (8 September 2022), [https://www.reuters.com/world/austrias-turk-proposed-be-next-un-human-rights-chief-2022-09-08/ Austria's Turk appointed U.N. human rights chief] Reuters.

He assumed office on 17 October 2022. His stated priorities include building a stronger UN human rights presence on the ground, and raising more money for a UN office that he said was underfunded.{{Cite news |last=Cumming-Bruce |first=Nick |date=24 November 2022 |title=Meet the World's New Human Rights Crisis Manager. He Has a Lot to Do. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/24/world/europe/volker-turk-un-human-rights.html |access-date=28 May 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

In 2023 he led the Human Rights 75 initiative, to advance women's and children's rights, support climate change mitigation, and empower people with disabilities.{{cite web |title=Human Rights 75 Initiative |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/human-rights-75 |publisher=OHCHR}}{{cite web |title=Human Rights: A Path for Solutions |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/outcome-documents/human-rights-path-solutions |publisher=OHCHR}} Türk promotes human rights as a solution to new challenges, such as the implications of digital technology on privacy and freedom of expression.{{Cite web |title=United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner visits San Francisco and Silicon Valley |url=https://www.austria.org/news/united-nations-human-rights-high-commissioner-visits-san-francisco-and-silicon-valley |access-date=28 May 2024 |website=Austria in USA |language=en-US}}

In January 2023, Türk criticized the "expedited removal" border policy of the administration of President Joe Biden and the United States under which illegal alien non-citizens could be removed from the country or denied entry, saying it posed a risk to fundamental rights.[https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/01/1132372 "New US border policy poses risk to fundamental rights, warns UN’s Türk,"] UN News.

In April 2023, Türk called on Russian authorities to free the longtime Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza who had been sentenced to a 25-year prison sentence on charges including treason. The sentence is "another blow to the rule of law and civic space in the Russian Federation", said Türk.{{cite web |last1=Türk |first1=Volker |title=Comment by UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on sentencing of Vladimir Kara-Murza in Russia |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/04/comment-un-human-rights-chief-volker-turk-sentencing-vladimir-kara-murza |publisher=United Nations |access-date=18 April 2023}}

In May 2023, Türk said Iran in that year had an "abominable" track record of executions with an average of more than 10 people hanged each week.{{Cite web |date=29 December 2023 |title=Iran says it executes four people accused of links to Israel's Mossad |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/29/iran-says-it-executed-four-people-accused-of-links-to-israels-mossad |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |quote=In May, United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk said Iran had an “abominable” track record of executions in 2023 with an average of more than 10 people hanged each week.}} He called on Iranian authorities to abolish the death penalty.{{Cite web |date=9 May 2023 |title=Iran: "Frightening" number of executions as Türk calls for end to death penalty |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/05/iran-frightening-number-executions-turk-calls-end-death-penalty |website=Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights}} In the same month, two days after Iran executed two men for criticizing Islam on social media, Türk announced that Iran would chair the 2023 UN Human Rights Social Forum.[https://dailycitizen.focusonthefamily.com/united-nations-round-up-iran-heads-human-rights-council-assembly-fails-to-condemn-hamas/ "United Nations Round-Up: Iran Heads Human Rights Council Assembly, Fails to Condemn Hamas"] Daily Citizen.

In July 2023, after a man at an authorized protest in Stockholm, Sweden, tore pages from a Quran and set them on fire, Türk condemned the burning. Several western countries and the EU stressed, however, that while the burning had been offensive, blasphemy laws, which punish oral or written statements perceived as an affront to religions or other sacred icons, were clearly a violation of international human rights law and freedom of expression.[https://genevasolutions.news/human-rights/volker-turk-quran-burning-incident-manufactured-to-divide-and-incite-hatred "Volker Türk: Quran burning incident ‘manufactured’ to divide and incite hatred,"] Geneva Solutions.

In February 2024, Türk criticized what he called India's "increasing restrictions on civic space ... as well as ... hate speech and discrimination against minorities, especially Muslims."[https://www.deccanherald.com/india/unwarranted-indias-strong-response-to-un-human-rights-high-commissioners-comment-on-electoral-process-2921333 "Unwarranted: India's strong response to UN Human Rights High Commissioner's comment on electoral process,"] Deccan Herald. India’s Ambassador to the UN at Geneva Arindam Bagchi said that Türk's accusations were "unwarranted and do not reflect the reality of the largest democracy in the world."

In March 2024, Türk said he recognised "China's advances in alleviating poverty and advancing development" and urged the release of human rights defenders, lawyers and others detained under the “picking quarrels and making trouble” legislation.{{Cite web |date=4 March 2024 |title=Türk's global update to the Human Rights Council |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2024/03/turks-global-update-human-rights-council |website=Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |quote=Dialogue between China and my Office continues in areas such as counterterrorism policies, gender equality, minority protection, civic space, and economic, social and cultural rights. As we move forward, it is important that this dialogue yield concrete results, notably in respect of the policy areas raised during the Universal Periodic Review. I recognise China's advances in alleviating poverty and advancing development, and I have urged that these advances be accompanied by reforms to align relevant laws and policies with international human rights standards. During the UPR, China announced plans to adopt 30 new measures for human rights protection, including amendments to the Criminal Law, and revisions of the Criminal Procedure Law. My Office looks forward to engaging with China on this; I particularly encourage revision of the vague offence of “picking quarrels and making trouble” in Article 293 of the Criminal Law, and I urge the release of human rights defenders, lawyers and others detained under such legislation. I also call on the Government to implement the recommendations made by my Office and other human rights bodies in relation to laws, policies and practises that violate fundamental rights, including in the Xinjiang and Tibet regions.}} He also called on China to implement the recommendations in the 2022 UN Human Rights Office report on Xinjiang.{{Cite news |date=4 March 2024 |title=UN rights chief says China committing violations in Xinjiang, Tibet |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/un-rights-chief-says-china-committing-violations-xinjiang-tibet-2024-03-04/ |access-date=5 March 2024 |work=Reuters}}

In April 2024, the Arakan Army in Myanmar cautioned that Türk was "stressing the plight of the Muslim community alone," which "means ignoring other non-Muslim groups suffering from the same war," and that it is important for Türk to state that civilians are suffering because of "Muslim extremist groups."[https://eng.mizzima.com/2024/04/25/9291 "AA responds to UN OCHR Chief Volker Türk’s statement,"] Myanamar News.

In September 2024, US Senator Tom Cotton wrote a letter to Türk, criticising Türk's refusal to call Hamas a terrorist organization even in the wake of its execution of six hostages in Gaza.[https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-to-un-is-hamas-a-terrorist-organization "Cotton to UN: Is Hamas a Terrorist Organization,"] Tom Cotton, September 10, 2024.[https://www.jns.org/cotton-to-un-human-rights-commissioner-is-hamas-a-terrorist-organization/ " Cotton to UN human rights commissioner: ‘Is Hamas a terrorist organization?’; The Arkansas senator sent a letter requesting an explanation for the unwillingness to acknowledge the Iranian-backed group’s terrorist nature,"] JNS.

In October 2024, Türk visited Bangladesh to assess the human rights situation following political unrest which ousted the government of Sheikh Hasina.{{cite web|url=https://www.bssnews.net/news-flash/219410|title=UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk arrives in Dhaka|date=29 October 2024|website=Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha|author=BSS|access-date=14 February 2025}} He met with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, government officials, student leaders, and civil society representatives.{{cite web|url=https://rtvonline.com/english/bangladesh/16782|website=RTV|title=UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Meets with Chief Advisor|date=26 September 2024|access-date=14 February 2025}} Türk emphasized the importance of inclusivity, stating, "Bangladesh now has an historic opportunity to renew and revitalise a genuine democracy... and to rebuild your country on a foundation of equality – where every voice is heard and valued, irrespective of class, gender, race, political ideology or religion".{{cite web|access-date=14 February 2025|url=https://asianews.network/bangladesh-has-historic-chance-for-genuine-democracy-says-un-rights-chief/|title=Bangladesh has historic chance for genuine democracy, says UN rights chief|date=30 October 2024|author=The Daily Star|website=Asia News Network}} He also visited hospitals to meet with students injured during the unrest and violence and called for "thorough investigations into all killings and human rights violations".{{cite web|url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2024/10/high-commissioner-bangladeshi-students-have-stood-human-rights|title=High Commissioner: Bangladeshi students have stood up for human rights, equality and justice|date=29 October 2024|website=ohchr.org|access-date=14 February 2025}} The UN warned the Bangladesh Army that it could lose peacekeeping roles if it were involved in suppressing the July movement, said UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk on BBC's HARDtalk.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-07 |title=UN warned Bangladesh of peacekeeping mission termination if army got involved in July movement: Turk |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/un-warned-bangladesh-peacekeeping-mission-termination-if-army-got-involved-july-movement |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=The Business Standard |language=en}}

During the Gaza war, Türk said Israel may – if intent were proven – be using starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza, which would amount to a war crime; Israel's economy minister, Nir Barkat, said Türk's warnings were "total nonsense – a totally irresponsible thing to say".{{cite web |last1=Bowen |first1=Jeremy |title=Gaza starvation could amount to war crime, UN human rights chief tells BBC |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68679482 |website=BBC |access-date=30 March 2024 |date=28 March 2024}}

Türk lives in Geneva, Switzerland.

Born in Linz, Austria, he attended the Linz Khevenhuller Gymnasium. Türk received a Master of Laws from the University of Linz.{{Cite web |last=Heidi Riepl |date=14 February 2015 |title=Volker Türk: From Linz to the Top of the UN |url=http://www.nachrichten.at/nachrichten/meinung/menschen/Volker-Tuerk-Von-Linz-an-die-Spitze-der-UNO;art111731,1647997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514195626/http://www.nachrichten.at/nachrichten/meinung/menschen/Volker-Tuerk-Von-Linz-an-die-Spitze-der-UNO;art111731,1647997 |archive-date=14 May 2016 |website=Oberösterreichische Nachrichten}} He received a doctorate in international law from the University of Vienna, where his doctoral dissertation was on the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its mandate.{{cite book |last1=Nicholson |first1=Frances |last2=Twomey |first2=Patrick |url=http://assets.cambridge.org/97805216/32829/frontmatter/9780521632829_frontmatter.pdf |title=Refugee Rights and Realities |publisher=Cambridge University Press, Cambridge |date=1999 |pages=XII |isbn= 0-521-63282-X |format=pdf; 319 kB |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=OHCHR {{!}} Volker Türk |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/about-us/high-commissioner/volker-turk |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221127023717/https://www.ohchr.org/en/about-us/high-commissioner/volker-turk |archive-date=27 November 2022 |access-date=27 November 2022 |website=Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |language=en}}

In May 2016, Türk was awarded the University of Graz {{ill|Human Rights Award of the Karl Franzens University Graz|lt=Human Rights Award|de|Menschenrechtspreis der Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz}} for protecting refugees worldwide and to highlight the role of the UNDCR in supporting refugees.{{cite web |url=http://steiermark.orf.at/news/stories/2774268/ |title=Uni Graz verleiht Menschenrechtspreis |trans-title=University of Graz awards human rights prize |publisher=orf.at |language=de |date=13 May 2016}}

He is published on international refugee law, statelessness and human rights issues including in the International Journal of Refugee Law.{{Cite web |url=https://academic.oup.com/ijrl/search-results?page=1&q=volker%20turk&fl_SiteID=5175&SearchSourceType=1&allJournals=1 |access-date=28 May 2024 |website=academic.oup.com |title=Search }}

• Erika Feller, Volker Türk, Frances Nicholson (eds.): Refugee Protection in International Law. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2003, ISBN 0-521-53281-7.

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Category:Austrian diplomats

Category:1965 births

Category:20th-century Austrian lawyers

Category:Living people

Category:United Nations High Commissioners for Human Rights

Category:People from Linz

Category:Johannes Kepler University Linz alumni

Category:University of Vienna alumni