The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, expressed this Monday his "satisfaction" with the decision of the majority of member states to renew the mandate of Volker Turk as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, a position he has held since December 2022 and which will now be extended for another four years.
"Without a doubt, we welcome the decision made by the member states. That, of course, was within their competence. The Secretary-General had communicated the possibility of this extension to the regional groups of member states in a transparent process, and they have already responded," explained his deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq, at a press conference.
When asked about the objections raised by countries like the United States to Turk's reelection and the consequent episode of diplomatic tension with France, Guterres' deputy spokesperson avoided "evaluating" the positions expressed by the member states, which "obviously have the right to express their opinions."
"Obviously, once the member states of this organization make a decision through the General Assembly, we expect and trust that all member states will respect that decision," Haq emphasized.
His words come after the French delegation to the UN in Geneva criticized Washington's vote against Turk's continuity — which was also opposed by Israel, Argentina, and Russia — stating that the United States "is no longer" a beacon of Human Rights.
In response, the U.S. ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, reproached that France "is throwing the ball out to ingratiate itself with some of the worst human rights abusers," accusing Turk of promoting a politicized campaign by denouncing Israeli crimes in the context of the offensive in the Gaza Strip.
The decision to keep the Austrian lawyer in the position, which he will hold until October 2030, was approved last Friday with the support of 144 member states, against ten votes in favor — including those already mentioned — and the abstention of another thirteen countries.