UN rights chief Volker Turk faces opposition in vote on new term

By Emma Farge, Olivia Le Poidevin and David Brunnstrom

GENEVA, July 23 (Reuters) – United Nations Human Rights chief Volker Turk, an outspoken critic of Russia’s war in Ukraine and Israel’s conduct in Gaza, faces opposition from both countries to a second four-year term ahead of a potentially contentious vote on Friday, diplomats told Reuters.

Turk, a lawyer who has worked for the United Nations for decades in major offices such as Geneva and field locations includingKosovo, ends his first four-year term in October.