Volker Türk: 'The world is facing radical upheaval'

Türk met with foreign minister Xavier Bettel and other political representatives this week, but also found time to sit down with RTL to discuss the challenges affecting today's world, and the importance of holding on to hope.

Rebuilding after the Second World War

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights turns 77 in December. The milestone document was signed in Paris on 10 December 1948 as a vow to "never again" permit the horrors of the two World Wars. In the 77 years since, however, there have been countless wars and human rights violations. According to Volker Türk, the Declaration must never be forgotten – it remains a moral compass and a source of hope for those affected by human attrocity.

UN active worldwide in upholding human rights

The people affected by human rights violations place much hope in the work of the United Nations. The UN functions as a point of contact, and can advocate for the vulnerable in international organisations.

Those affected by human rights violations often place their hopes in the work of the United Nations, which acts as a point of contact and a means of raising their concerns at an international level. Volker Türk’s role is to monitor rights abuses worldwide and ensure that none go unnoticed. Human rights, he argues, apply to everyone – and no one case should be given precedence over another.

A month ago, he called upon the Human Rights Council in Geneva to strengthen the defence of human rights in these difficult times. His role, he said, is to consistently remind those involved in conflict of their obligations under human rights law – and to help coordinate the UN’s humanitarian response around the world.

The High Commissioner’s office is also responsible for investigating human rights violations on a global scale. Its reports are regularly cited in international trials, including the case of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, who was indicted for human rights violations at The Hague.

The world is facing radical upheaval

On the topic of the global political situation, Türk warns of the risk of greater instability and political chaos if nations are not careful. Human rights are a point of reference for international cohesion, as they belong to everyone and not to a political ideology.

Luxembourg is a small, but active nation 

Luxembourg was a member of the UN Human Rights Council from 2022-2024, where the Grand Duchy actively advocated for human rights violations to be dealt with legally and for journalists to be better protected in their work. Small countries carry important weight in an international organisation like the United Nations, Türk says.

How relevant is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights today? 

Türk explains that human rights should be applied both online and offline. Online, large companies frequently have discussions on how to better protect human rights in the digital space. Social media operators are, for example, responsible for taking measures to protect people, such as blocking hate speech or calls for violence. However, the High Commissioner expresses concern that the measures designed to make the online space safer could be challenged by right-wing populist parties. Society's coherence could be called into question if those who spread harmful disinformation are not held accountable.

We cannot lose hope

The High Commissioner frequently meets with young people as part of his role. He says his most important message for the younger generation is to hold on to hope, in spite of the difficult global political situation. The young generations hold political weight, he says, and hopes they continue to remain active in politics. He points to the climate movement in 2019 as a good example of political engagement.

Human rights affect us all 

Everyone is affected by human rights, says the High Commissioner, which is why he believes the topic should be addressed early in education. Everyone can advocate for human rights. He says it is a good idea to research where products hail from, what the conditions are like for people in the places where goods are produced. Although it is easy to feel overwhelmed by feelings of powerlessness, he says everyone is able to actively get involved.

Looking ahead, Volker Türk has called for greater efforts from political leaders to promote an alternative politics rooted in compassion. Such an approach, he argues, must succeed in encouraging people to engage more actively in the humanitarian dimension of society.

Full interview available in Luxembourgish: