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UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk warned that Palestinian civilians are still suffering heavy losses in Gaza from Israeli strikes despite the ceasefire, and that Israel is advancing the annexation of the West Bank in violation of an International Court of Justice ruling. He delivered the message by video link to the annual meeting of the UN Third Committee at the organization's New York headquarters.

Turk said the world is being shaken by war, polarization, climate chaos and rapid technological change, and that the interests of powerful states reinforce the belief that destructive trends are inevitable. History shows otherwise, he argued, because people have repeatedly resisted oppression and mobilized around universal values. He cited the escalating war between Russia and Ukraine, the global impact of the confrontation between the United States and Iran, and the growing exchanges of attacks between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, which he said horrified him.

He noted that his office documents violations around the world, from Sudan to Ethiopia and Myanmar, and integrates the evidence it gathers into UN decision-making processes to uphold international law. Turk also highlighted risks from artificial intelligence, warning of new threats to human rights and stressing the urgency of building a functional AI governance framework, adding that he is ready to work with states, technology companies and civil society on the issue.

Key Takeaways

• Volker Turk said Palestinians are being killed in large numbers in Gaza despite the ceasefire.
• He warned Israel's annexation of the West Bank is proceeding contrary to an ICJ ruling.
• Turk urged the creation of an effective artificial intelligence governance system before it is too late.