New EU rules on return need to respect international and EU human rights standards. Creating offshore return hubs with limited safeguards, expanded use of detention - including of children, and weakened protections that risk refoulement, all warrant careful reconsideration. Refor…Mostrar mais

#Haiti: @UNHumanRights Office welcomes the opening of two specialised judicial units - a significant step toward tackling widespread impunity & corruption and ensuring justice & reparations for victims. www.ohchr.org/en/press-briefing-notes/2026...Mostrar mais

#Nicaragua: We deplore the death in custody of Indigenous leader Brooklyn Rivera & urge prompt investigations. We call on the authorities to release all those arbitrarily detained & ensure detention facilities fully comply with intl human rights standards. www.ohchr.org/en/press-briefing-notes/2026...Mostrar mais

Faith should never be a reason to live in fear. Tolerance is the foundation of protecting everyone’s equal rights. www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2026/05/combating...

Enhancing the protection of children online is an urgent priority that needs to be done right. Governments and tech companies must make digital platforms safer by design, strengthen data protection, and ensure accountability for those responsible for harm. ➡️ @UNHumanRights has…Mostrar mais

#Russia and #Ukraine must return to the negotiating table, as escalating hostilities continue to cause civilian casualties on both sides amid Russia’s latest threats to ramp up attacks further. Negotiations are the only way to end the suffering. www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/05/uk...Mostrar mais

Afghan women, children & men continue to be pushed out of countries where they had sought safety, forcing them to return to Afghanistan against their will & exposing them to grave risk. @volker_turk calls on States to halt these involuntary returns. www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/05/tu...Mostrar mais

Happy International Day for Biological Diversity! The right to a healthy environment is key to achieving harmony with nature. Protecting biodiversity is protecting human rights.

States must halt involuntary returns of Afghan refugees & asylum-seekers to Afghanistan. @volker_turk calls on States to uphold their int'l legal obligations & protect Afghans by refraining from any action that exposes them to irreparable harm upon return. www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/05/tu...Mostrar mais

The UN General Assembly endorsement of the International Court of Justice’s climate ruling is key - the climate crisis is also a human rights crisis and States have legal obligations to protect people and planet. We now need urgent action – law reform, policy change, internationa…Mostrar mais

Civilians must never pay the price of conflict. International humanitarian law must be respected by all parties. Read more: www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2026/04/all-i-too...

.@volker_turk deplores the execution of two more people in Iran. Since the military escalation began, at least 34 people have been executed on political & national security charges, including in the context of the January protests. It is unacceptable that the Iranian authorities…Mostrar mais

#Palestine/#Israel: New @UNHumanRights report documents 19 months of large-scale violations of international law including atrocity crimes. www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports...

On International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia and every day, we stand for human rights for all.

Following the @COE ministerial declaration on the role of @ECHR_CEDH, @volker_turk reiterates the need to support the court’s independence, impartiality and interpretative authority, & the crucial role of national and regional courts in upholding human rights standards. He encour…Mostrar mais

.@volker_turk welcomes the announcement of the deal to release over 1,600 detainees in #Yemen – the largest agreed since the start of the conflict – which will bring much needed relief and hope for a lasting peace. He urges building on this progress and moving to release immediat…Mostrar mais

We welcome US federal court’s interim order suspending sanctions imposed by US Government on Special Rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory @FranceskAlbs. Sanctions against her and @IntlCrimCourt judges & prosecutors for carrying out their work are unacc…Mostrar mais

In the last 24 hours Russian armed forces launched one of the largest long-range weapons attacks on Ukraine since their full-scale invasion. I deplore the resumption of these large-scale attacks which have resulted in civilian casualties across the country. Attacks by long-range…Mostrar mais

Visiting #SouthKorea, @volker_turk pays tribute to the sacrifice of those honoured at the Gwangju Cemetery and that of so many other people around the world, who continue to pay the ultimate price advocating for a fairer, better and more just and equitable world for all of us.

As we paid tribute to those buried at the Gwangju Cemetery - a powerful site of remembrance for those killed protesting against military rule in South Korea in 1980 - our thoughts went also to so many courageous young women and men in countries around the world who have lost thei…Mostrar mais

During his visit to South Korea, @volker_turk held meetings & discussions on domestic, regional & global issues: from the need for human rights-based innovation & governance to the ongoing human rights crisis in the #DPRK & the trauma of #NorthKorean escapees. www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2...Mostrar mais

UN Human Rights Chief @volker_turk urges repeal of special military court law passed by #Israeli Knesset to prosecute #Palestinians accused of links to the 7 October attacks. This law allows further erosion of fair trial guarantees and will inevitably institutionalise one-sided j…Mostrar mais

"Peace and security on the Korean peninsula need to be anchored in human rights." - @volker_turk during his visit to South Korea. South Korea’s people & institutions showed the strength of its democracy by standing firm for human rights, the rule of law and accountability during…Mostrar mais

.@volker_turk alarmed by dozens of civilian deaths from recent airstrikes by Nigerian and Chadian armies in northeast and northwest Nigeria. Prompt & impartial investigations & accountability are crucial. www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2026/05/nigeri...Mostrar mais

In Seoul, UN Human Rights Chief @volker_turk met civil society groups, North Korean escapees & rights organisations working on the DPRK, who conveyed urgency in keeping sustained attention on the country's human rights situation.

"Human rights work is always unfinished business" - concluding his visit @volker_turk welcomes Mongolia’s commitment to advancing human rights, urges stronger protection for rights defenders, & sustained public trust in institutions & in the rule of law. www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2...Mostrar mais

At #IMRF2026, @UNHumanrights joined @UNICEF, @UNMigration, @supportKIND & @MYCPOfficial to launch the #GCM Family Unity Initiative—a multi-stakeholder effort to advance family-centered migration pathways. Join us to make family unity a reality 🔗www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/document...…Mostrar mais

100 years after the adoption of the Slavery Convention, exploitation still exists in many forms today. Every purchase tells a story. Make sure it’s not one of exploitation.

#Sudan: Armed drones have now become by far and away the leading cause of civilian deaths - warns UN Human Rights Chief @volker_turk. The impunity & the violence must end. Civilians must urgently be protected. www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/05/tu...Mostrar mais

.@volker_turk ends #Mongolia visit welcoming the country's positive commitment to the UN human rights system - at a time when some powerful global actors are openly defying and even vilifying human rights. Democratic space cannot be taken for granted. It needs to be actively def…Mostrar mais

Sudan: @volker_turk warns of widening & intensified conflict, condemns increased use of drones; urges protection of civilians & end to arms flow. "Unless action is taken without delay, this conflict is on the cusp of entering yet another new, even deadlier phase." www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/05/tu...Mostrar mais

UN Human Rights Chief @volker_turk is on official visits to Mongolia and Republic of Korea from 10-14 May. In Ulaanbaatar, Seoul and Gwangju, he will meet civil society, human rights organizations and senior government officials. In Seoul, he will also meet escapees from the DPRK…Mostrar mais

Voices from the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent. Cynthia, Ebony, and Elisa share powerful perspectives on reparatory justice and dignity for people of African descent. Justice and dignity are fundamental human rights for all.

#Tunisia: continued repression & restrictions on civic space undermine rights protected under the country’s Constitution & its international human rights obligations. @volker_turk calls on the gov't to end repressive measures against civil society & media. www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/05/tu...Mostrar mais

The UN Human Rights Library has launched a new e‑guide with curated resources on digital transformation, online freedoms, surveillance, AI, and human rights challenges. Explore the e‑guide: libraryresources.unog.ch/c.php and browse our catalogue: searchlibrary.ohchr.orgMostrar mais

.@volker_turk calls on #Tunisia to end repression against civil society, journalists, human rights defenders & opposition. All those imprisoned for expressing their views must be released immediately & unconditionally. Tunisia’s democratic and human rights gains after 2011 must b…Mostrar mais

Human rights law was built for moments like now. 60 years on, the Covenants still protect dignity, limit power, and hold States accountable

UN Human Rights Chief @volker_turk welcomes the signature of a Host Country Agreement with #Somalia: "A foundation to strengthen our collaboration to address human rights challenges, and protect & promote human rights in the country." www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/05/un...Mostrar mais

#Israel must immediately release @gbsumudflotilla activists Saif Abukeshek & Thiago de Avila. Disturbing accounts of severe mistreatment must be investigated. Solidarity & aid delivery to Palestinians in #Gaza not a crime. #Flotilla www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/05/is...Mostrar mais

25 years after the Durban Declaration, are States delivering on their commitments to end racism? The UN Group of Independent Eminent Experts convenes this week for four public thematic sessions: from far-right violence to AI and digital spaces. The 6-7 May in Palais des Nations…Mostrar mais

Press freedom is a human right. Journalists in conflict zones are being killed, detained, and silenced simply for doing their jobs. They report the truth so the world can see. We must protect them. www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2026/05/stop-targ...…Mostrar mais

Mali: @volker_turk troubled by the worsening human rights situation following clashes between the army and non-state armed groups. The fighting must stop & all restrictions on humanitarian access must end immediately. www.ohchr.org/en/press-briefing-notes/2026...Mostrar mais

A free press is the oxygen of a free society. Yet efforts to silence the media are becoming disturbingly creative – and normalized. States must end the persecution of journalists and act to protect them. We must stand with those who stand for truth.   www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2...Mostrar mais

France’s decision to extend the European Social Charter to several of its overseas territories is a positive step. As of today, more than 2 million people previously excluded from its protection will now benefit from the same guarantees of social rights as those in mainland Franc…Mostrar mais

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights @volker_turk urges #Cambodia to unconditionally release former opposition leader Kem Sokha and all other opposition activists, human rights defenders & social media users arbitrarily detained for exercising their rights. www.ohchr.org/en/press-briefing-notes/2026...Mostrar mais

#Cambodia: @volker_turk deeply concerned by the upholding of the conviction of Kem Sokha & convictions of 33 other opposition activists, human rights defenders & social media users for exercising their right to freedom of expression. Cambodia should protect, not criminalise, legi…Mostrar mais

Wishing a peaceful Vesak to all those who celebrate. May this meaningful day bring compassion, kindness, and much-needed peace.

Backlash against gender equality is a backlash against human rights and democracy. Across the world, progress is being challenged, but people are not standing by. Equality means power: to live freely, safely, and in dignity. People are pushing back, defending rights, claiming sp…Mostrar mais

Recent global disruptions have exposed the risks of continued dependence on fossil fuels. As countries reassess their energy strategies, the case for accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels is clearer than ever. Fossil fuels are driving pollution, harming health, and…Mostrar mais

#Iran: @volker_turk deplores crackdown on dissent. Rights of all Iranians must be respected: halt all executions, establish a moratorium on capital punishment, guarantee fair trial rights & immediately release all those arbitrarily detained. www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/04/ir...Mostrar mais