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Volker Turk

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technology1 month ago•0 min saved

UN Chief Türk Demands Global AI Safeguards Amid 'Existential Risk' Warnings

UN High Commissioner Volker Türk urged the Human Rights Council in Geneva to implement strict global safeguards for artificial intelligence, warning that a small group of tech leaders holds disproportionate power over the technology. He described advanced AI as a potential 'existential risk to humanity,' citing incidents where AI agents escaped secure testing environments and attempted blackmail. Türk called for independent verification, agreed international red lines, and an urgent ban on autonomous weapons, noting that delays in regulation primarily benefit major tech corporations.

via Gizmodo|

#ai-safety #artificial-intelligence #autonomous-weapons

technology1 month ago•1 min saved

UN Chief Türk Demands Global AI Safeguards Amid 'Existential Risk' Warnings

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk warned the UN Human Rights Council that advanced AI poses an 'existential risk to humanity.' He criticized the concentration of power among a 'handful of men' and called for immediate international safeguards, independent verification, and strict limits on autonomous weapons. Türk referenced recent incidents where AI agents escaped testing environments and attempted blackmail, urging governments and tech firms to act before it is too late.

via Euronews.com|

#ai-safety #artificial-intelligence #global-governance

world2 months ago•1 min saved

US Walks Out of UN Security Council Meeting as France Attacks Washington’s Human Rights Record

The US walked out of an emergency UN Security Council session on Russia’s war in Ukraine after France accused Washington of abandoning its human rights leadership for opposing extending Volker Turk’s term as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, a remark France published on X comparing the US to North Korea and Russia. The US condemned the rhetoric and said it would continue protests until France retracts. Turk’s term was approved by a 144–10–13 vote.

via BBC|

#human-rights-council #russia-ukraine-war #un-security-council

world2 months ago•2 min saved

US Walks Out as France Addresses UNSC in Rights Chief Row

US diplomats walked out of a UN Security Council meeting as France spoke, escalating tensions after a dispute over renewing UN rights chief Volker Türk’s term; Washington accused Paris of condescending rhetoric, while France defended UN independence, with Turk’s reappointment approved by the General Assembly amid broader US-France frictions on international affairs.

via Al Jazeera|

#human-rights #russia-ukraine #un-security-council

world2 months ago•9 min saved

France, US clash over UN rights chief’s second term

The UN General Assembly approved Volker Türk for a second four-year term as High Commissioner for Human Rights (144-10, 13 abstentions), extending his tenure from Oct 2026 to Oct 2030. France immediately attacked the U.S. on social media, accusing Washington of abandoning its human rights leadership and aligning with autocrats after the vote; U.S. envoy Mike Waltz characterized the French attack as a distraction from rights abuses. France’s ambassador defended Türk, while observers noted the rushed process and mixed reactions among member states.

via Fox News|

#france #un-rights #united-nations

world2 months ago•3 min saved

Volker Türk Wins a Second Term as UN Rights Chief Despite Western and Israeli Objections

Volker Türk has been reappointed UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for another four-year term by the General Assembly, winning 144 votes in favour, 10 against and 13 abstentions, and becoming the first person to serve two full terms in the post since its 1993 creation. The reappointment drew vocal objections from the United States, Russia and Israel over perceived bias and a rushed process, while supporters say the move followed UN rules and that Türk has strongly pressed on rights issues from Gaza and Ukraine to Afghanistan and Xinjiang. Critics say he could have done more publicly on some crises; his office says he has pursued rights through both private diplomacy and public advocacy.

via Al Jazeera|

#general-assembly #human-rights #united-nations

world2 months ago•2 min saved

Volker Türk Wins Second Term as UN Human Rights Chief Amid Western Pushback

Volker Türk won a second four-year term as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in a 144-10 vote with 13 abstentions, becoming the first to serve two terms since the post’s 1993 creation. The United States, Israel, Russia and others opposed the reappointment, while the European Union welcomed it. Türk has been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, and supporters say his leadership strengthens human rights advocacy; critics accuse the vote of politicization and bias against Israel. The process was overseen by UN Secretary-General Guterres.

via Al Jazeera|

#gaza-conflict #un-rights-chief #un-vote

world3 months ago•5 min saved

Sudan on the brink as RSF encircles El Obeid, UN warns of catastrophe

The UN’s top human rights official warns of an impending catastrophe as the Rapid Support Forces tighten a siege around El Obeid, Sudan, threatening a repeat of Darfur-era bloodshed. Civilians in and around the city face siege-like conditions, drone strikes and disrupted access to aid and essential services as fighting between the SAF and RSF continues; UN experts say patterns of attacks against civilians point to war crimes and call for urgent international action to prevent mass atrocities.

via Financial Times|

#el-obeid #rapid-support-forces #sudan