The world is entering one of its most dangerous periods in decades, the United Nations human rights chief warned this week, pointing to growing conflicts and widespread violations of international law.
Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said global crises—from Gaza to Ukraine, Sudan, Haiti, and Myanmar—show a deep erosion of international rules meant to protect civilians and prevent war crimes. “The disregard for humanitarian and human rights laws is reaching a deafening crescendo,” he said.
Speaking to reporters and the UN General Assembly’s human rights committee, Türk said the systems built after World War II to prevent atrocities are breaking down. “When war becomes the norm and civilian deaths are tolerated, we should all be alarmed,” he warned.
He was especially critical of the situation in Gaza, saying Israel’s blockade has pushed Palestinians to “catastrophic levels of hunger.” He reminded governments that using starvation as a weapon is a war crime under international law.
Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon pushed back, saying Israel is doing all it can to provide aid while defending itself against daily attacks. He accused the UN of focusing too much on Gaza and not enough on the threat facing Israeli civilians.
Türk said that unless the international community defends the laws meant to protect human life, global peace and stability will continue to unravel.
