UN rights chief laments ‘shift in direction’ in United States

The U.N. human rights chief has expressed concern about a “fundamental shift in direction” taking place in the United States when it comes to human rights.

Volker Türk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, also praised bipartisan support for human rights for decades and the “generosity and compassion” of the American people in a sweeping address on his concerns on dozens of issues and country situations, including China, India, Russia, the United States and beyond.

He expressed new concerns about a change in tack in Washington.

“I am now deeply worried by the fundamental shift in direction that is taking place domestically and internationally,” the rights chief told the Human Rights Council. “Divisive rhetoric is being used to distort, deceive and polarize. This is generating fear and anxiety among many.”

Türk did not specifically refer to the Trump administration, which announced pulling the United States out of the 47-member-country council in January — even though the Biden administration had already said last year that the U.S. would not seek a new three-year term.

A seat reserved for a U.S. representative sat empty yesterday, the start of the Week 2 of the council’s 5-1/2 week session. The rights body holds three sessions a year.