UN reappoints Volker Türk as Human Rights Chief amid regional migration crises

The United Nations General Assembly has reappointed Volker Türk as the High Commissioner for Human Rights for a second four-year term. Türk, an Austrian lawyer, is the first person to serve two full terms since the position was established in 1993. While the reappointment passed, it faced opposition from ten states, including the United States, Russia, and Israel. Türk has previously been noted for criticizing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s actions in Gaza, though he has also faced criticism for not using the term “genocide” regarding Gaza or speaking more forcefully on the situation of Uyghurs in China.

Separately, the Malawian government has concluded the repatriation of 56,723 citizens following months of anti-immigrant violence in South Africa. The xenophobic unrest against various African nationals has created a humanitarian crisis and threatened the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and regional calls for free movement within Africa. The repatriation process involved nearly 900 buses transporting returnees back to Malawi.