UN rights chief alarmed by 'fundamental shift' in US direction
3 Min Read
According to Volker Turk, divisive rhetoric is being used to "distort, deceive, and polarize."
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UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk speaks during a press conference about the publication of the UN Human Rights fact-finding report on Bangladesh protests at the European headquarters of the UN in Geneva, Switzerland, on February 12, 2025. (AP)
The UN human rights head expressed great worry on Monday about the United States' "fundamental shift" in direction since Donald Trump took office and criticized the "unchecked power" of "unelected tech oligarchs."
Volker Turk addressed the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, issuing the UN's harshest censure of the stunning US reversal in recent weeks.
"We have enjoyed bipartisan support from the United States of America on human rights over many decades," he stated. He followed up saying, "I am now deeply worried by the fundamental shift in direction that is taking place domestically and internationally."
He lamented how "policies intended to protect people from discrimination are now labelled as discriminatory," adding that "progress is being rolled back on gender equality. Disinformation, intimidation and threats, notably against journalists and public officials, risk undermining the work of independent media and the functioning of institutions."
Turk also expressed that "divisive rhetoric is being used to distort, deceive and polarise," which is causing fear and anxiety among many people.
No US official was present for Turk's statement, as Washington has decided that it would no longer participate in the council.
Turk warned of escalating global conflicts and human rights abuses in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and the DRC, emphasizing threats to the international order. He stressed the need to uphold international norms and raised concerns over the growing power of "a handful of unelected tech oligarchs."
He warned the oligarchs "have our data: they know where we live, what we do, our genes and our health conditions, our thoughts, our habits, our desires and our fears," citing that they know "how to manipulate us."
Turk warned that unregulated power can lead to oppression and tyranny, urging countries to adapt quickly and fulfill their duty to protect people from unchecked authority through collective action.
Since Trump's election victory, major tech leaders, including Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, have aligned with his administration. Bezos reportedly directed The Washington Post to avoid views opposing "personal liberties and free markets," while Mark Zuckerberg ended fact-checking and eased content moderation on Meta platforms—moves the UN warns could fuel hate speech and undermine free expression.
Tech leaders are also increasingly supporting Trump's war on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
Turk grieved "the resurgence in some quarters of toxic ideas about masculinity, and efforts to glorify gender stereotypes," stating that this was happening all across the world.
"From autocracies to democracies, women and girls are denied their rights in myriad ways," he stated.
