The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has raised serious concerns over what he described as the growing normalisation of force in resolving disputes worldwide.
Speaking before the United Nations Human Rights Council on Friday, Turk warned that the world is becoming increasingly dangerous, with armed conflicts nearly doubling since 2010. According to him, the number of active conflicts globally has risen to around 60, reflecting a troubling shift toward violence as a routine tool of engagement.
He stressed that the international community must not revert to violence as an organising principle, cautioning that the threat and use of force to settle disagreements is becoming more frequent and widely accepted. Turk pointed to what he described as relentless competition for power, often pursued at the expense of fundamental human rights.
The High Commissioner questioned the purpose behind global struggles for dominance, whether over land, energy, economic control, or technological advancement. He argued that power should serve humanity rather than undermine it.
Turk also criticised leaders who exploit authority for personal or political gain while weakening democratic institutions. He expressed alarm that some governments are undermining bodies established to uphold justice and global stability, including the United Nations, the International Court of Justice, and the International Criminal Court.
Highlighting the erosion of respect for international law, Turk noted that attacks on healthcare facilities have surged dramatically. Whereas a single hospital attack once sparked global outrage, there are now reportedly an average of 10 such attacks daily.
He concluded with a stark warning that the world cannot remain passive as the framework of international humanitarian and human rights law is gradually dismantled.
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