Volker Turk of Austria has been appointed as the next United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed Turk following approval by the General Assembly.
- The new High Commissioner is currently coordinating global policy work as an Under-Secretary-General in the UN’s Executive Office.
- Previously, he was the Assistant High Commissioner for Protection at UN refugees, UNHCR, in Geneva where he played a key role in the development of the landmark Global Compact on Refugees.
- Turk will succeed Michelle Bachelet of Chile.
About High Commissioner for Human Rights
- The High Commissioner for Human Rights is the principal human rights official of the United Nations.
- The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is accountable to the Secretary-General and is responsible for all the activities of OHCHR, as well as for its administration.
- The UN General Assembly established The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in December 1993 through its resolution 48/141 which also details its mandate.
- This was just a few months after the World Conference on Human Rights adopted the Vienna Declaration and Plan of Action.
