Volker Türk

Austrian lawyer and United Nations official who has been UN High Commissioner for Human Rights since October 2022. He previously held senior posts at the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, and served as under-secretary-general for policy in the office of the UN secretary-general.

What DI has documented

DI has documented statements by Volker Türk on Antisemitism, International Relations, and Israel. Read the quotations, original sources and related cases below.

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Statements by Volker Türk

Volker Türk

Role at the time: United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, on his X account

Defended or excused

Statement summary

On X on October 9, 2026, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk congratulated Navi Pillay, whom he called a dear friend, on the Nobel Peace Prize and said she has shown what courage, integrity and an unwavering belief in human rights and the law can achieve.

“Warmest congratulations to my dear friend and former UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay on the Nobel Peace Prize! She has shown what courage, integrity and an unwavering belief in human rights and the law can achieve. Thank you, Navi, for inspiring us all.”
Read the original post (opens in a new tab)Volker Türk's X post congratulating Navi Pillay on the Nobel Peace Prize · Volker TürkX post 2108515113594757232
Why we used this label

He congratulates Pillay and praises her courage, integrity and belief in human rights and the law, which endorses the committee's choice.

A participant is a subject of the case. A speaker has a statement documented in it. A commentator has an opinion or editorial documented in it.