UN Rights Chief Warns Conflict Could Escalate Catastrophically

Table Briefings

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has expressed deep concern over the risk of the Middle East conflict spreading further and causing widespread harm, issuing calls for urgent de‑escalation.

Speaking as part of ongoing discussions at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Türk emphasised that continued strikes around sensitive locations — particularly near nuclear facilities in both Iran and Israel — risk triggering a “catastrophic escalation” of violence.

His comments come as representatives from Gulf Arab states told the council that recent Iranian attacks on infrastructure and civilian areas pose an existential threat to their security. These attacks, which have included missiles and drones targeting energy and civilian sites, have contributed to rising regional tensions and global economic worries, including increased energy prices.

The council is set to consider a resolution condemning attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure, calling for an immediate halt to hostilities and for reparations to be explored.


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