UN rights chief says far-right gains in Europe 'alarm bell to ring'

UPDATES WITH ADDITIONAL REMARKS

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The UN human rights chief on Wednesday warned that the rising far-right in Europe should ring an alarm bell.

"I am always worried when I hear narratives that denigrate the other, dehumanize the other, that make scapegoats of migrants and refugees, and asylum seekers of minority groups," Volker Turk said in Geneva in response to Anadolu's question for an evaluation of the situation after far-right gains in European Parliament and France elections.

"We need to be very vigilant, because especially history tells us, in particular in Europe, that the vilification of the other, that the denigration of the other is a harbinger for what's to come," he said. "And yes, it's an alarm bell that we need to ring."

- 'Absolutely critical' to continue work in Palestine

Commenting on the conflict in Palestine, Turk said it is "absolutely critical" for the human rights office to continue its work to improve the accountability for crimes committed in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

It is "critical" to keep monitoring, reporting, and documenting to find ways and means to engage with authorities as well, he said.

Asked if there is a need to establish an international tribunal to tackle breach of human rights, he said: "We have existing ones, and they are being used."

It is "important" to ensure the current accountability mechanisms' ability to work, Turk added.

Israel has killed nearly 38,000 Palestinians since an Oct. 7, 2023 cross-border attack by Hamas. The actions have triggered a humanitarian disaster and an ongoing trial over alleged genocide at the International Court of Justice. Since then, Israeli raids and arrests have also increased in the West Bank.