Washington DC, 9 September 2022(TDI): United States Ambassador to United Nations, Linda Thomas Greenfield welcomed the appointment of Volker Turk as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
She looks forward to working with him to vigorously defend human rights and
fundamental freedoms.
I welcome the UN Secretary General’s appointment of Volker Turk as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Looking forward to working with him to vigorously defend human rights and fundamental freedoms.
— Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield (@USAmbUN) September 8, 2022
Volter Turk’s Appointment as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
The General Assembly of the United Nations has approved the selection of Austrian diplomat Volker Turk as the new UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, replacing Michelle Bachelet.
Currently, the new High Commissioner is coordinating global policy work as an Under-Secretary-General in the Executive Office of the United Nations.
In addition, he ensures system-wide coordination in the implementation of the “General Call to Action for Human Rights” and his report, Our Common Agenda.
The report outlines a strategy for addressing the world’s interconnected challenges on the basis of trust, solidarity, and respect for human rights.
From 2019 until 2021, Türk worked as the Executive Office’s Assistant Secretary-General for Strategic Coordination.
Prior to that, he was the Assistant High Commissioner for United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva from 2015 to 2019.
He was instrumental in the drafting of the landmark Global Compact on Refugees.
Also read: US Congresswoman introduces Human Rights Violations Resolution
The United States and Human Rights
United States foreign policy is based on the most cherished democratic ideals. The ideals also include protecting democracy, advocating opportunity, upholding human rights and fundamental freedoms, honoring the rule of law, and treating everyone with dignity.
In addition, the President of the United States Biden pledged to restore American participation abroad and revitalize its leadership in order to stimulate global action on shared concerns.
In US bilateral and international interactions, and at the United Nations, the US has accepted the mandate to seek and promote these ideals with intensity.
