UN rights chief Turk wins second term despite US and Israeli opposition

Key Points:

• Volker Turk has been re-elected for a second four-year term as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights with a vote of 144-10, becoming the first to serve two terms since the post's creation in 1993.
• Turk is known for his outspoken criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, which has drawn opposition from Israel, the US, Russia, North Korea, and six other countries.
• Israel and the US sharply criticized Turk’s leadership, accusing him of bias, mismanagement, and undermining UN neutrality, while the European Union welcomed his reappointment and pledged cooperation.
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres faced backlash for the expedited voting process, with critics calling it an example of UN dysfunction and corruption.
• Turk expressed gratitude for his re-election and reaffirmed his commitment to defending human rights globally amid ongoing regional conflicts and controversies.