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Time of Monsters: U.N. Human Rights Chief on Gaza, Immigration, Climate Crisis, and Lack of Solidarity (Extended Interview)

Release Date: 2025-07-11
Media: Democracy Now!
Summary: In an in-depth interview conducted at the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, Volker Türk addressed a wide range of global human rights issues. He described Israel's actions in Gaza as ethnic cleansing, citing repeated forced displacement of Palestinians, the systematic destruction of neighborhoods, and the denial of humanitarian aid. He expressed deep concern over the militarization of aid delivery and the high death toll among civilians, calling for a permanent ceasefire, release of all hostages, and a return to negotiations for a two-state solution.

Türk also criticized the vilification and defunding of UNRWA, the U.N. agency aiding Palestinian refugees, labeling such attacks harmful and unjustified. He acknowledged that multiple actions during the war, including collective punishment and obstruction of aid, likely constitute war crimes.

Turning to the United States, Türk voiced alarm over the harsh treatment of migrants, especially under former President Trump, and condemned the use of militarized force against peaceful protests. He emphasized the vital role migrants play in society and warned against the rising xenophobia and polarization in U.S. politics.

He raised serious human rights concerns about deportations to the mega-prison CECOT in El Salvador, where migrants are allegedly held without due process. Türk revealed that the U.N. has been denied access to this facility and has received no response from Salvadoran authorities.

On global issues, he decried the weakening of humanitarian aid due to major funding cuts by the U.S., especially USAID, which has left vulnerable populations without critical support. He warned that such cuts have real-life consequences, including increased suffering and potential conflict.

Türk also highlighted the climate crisis as a core human rights issue, criticizing governments and corporations for failing to act. He emphasized how climate change disproportionately affects the poor, Indigenous peoples, and women, and warned of increased displacement and instability if action is not taken. He dismissed fossil fuel expansion, advocating instead for renewable energy.

Addressing Big Tech, Türk warned of the unchecked power of a few unelected corporations that control vast amounts of data, influence elections, and spread harmful disinformation and hate speech. He called for stronger regulation, citing the EU’s Digital Services Act as a good example.

He also reiterated concerns about China’s treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, referencing discrimination, family separations, and abuse of the justice system. He has followed up on his predecessor's report with the Chinese government but stressed the need for deep legal reforms.

Finally, Türk reflected on his upbringing in Austria and his lifelong commitment to human rights, shaped by the legacy of WWII and the Holocaust. He emphasized that human rights must be defended now more than ever, as they are essential to justice, social harmony, and the future of humanity.
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