UN Rights Chief Warns Against 'Strongman' Politicians Ahead of Elections

The UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, cautions voters to be cautious of 'strongman' politicians and superficial promises as numerous elections approach this year. In his address, Türk highlighted both positive trends, such as the global move towards abolishing the death penalty, and negative trends, like increased executions in Iran and Saudi Arabia.

The UN human rights chief is urging voters to be wary of "strongman" politicians and personalities "that throw glitter in our eyes" as more elections loom in a busy electoral calendar this year.

Volker Türk didn't mention leaders or countries by name, but alluded to a schedule that includes votes to come in countries like Georgia, Tunisia, and the United States.

The rights chief spoke Monday in his traditional opening remarks to sessions of the Human Rights Council, which typically cover a wide array of global rights concerns. The 47-country body — whose membership changes each year — was opening a five-week autumn session.

"I urge voters to ask themselves which of the political platforms or candidates will work for the human rights of everyone," Türk said. "And I urge all voters to be vigilant. Be wary of the shrill voices, the strongman types that throw glitter in our eyes, offering illusory solutions that deny reality." He denounced some politicians who "scapegoat migrants, refugees, and minorities" around electoral periods in places like France, Germany, Hungary, the United Kingdom, and the US.

The Austrian-born UN veteran contrasted both hopeful and worrying developments. He noted a "positive trend" toward the abolition of the death penalty worldwide, but a rise in executions in Iran and Saudi Arabia.

He hailed a shift toward decriminalization of same-sex relations in many places, but decried "a spate of laws" aimed at penalizing them in countries like Ghana, Indonesia, Iraq, and Uganda.

Türk blasted "attempts to muzzle" freedoms of expression and assembly and a free press, pointing to detentions of journalists in Azerbaijan — which hosts a UN climate conference in November — arrests of opposition leaders in Tunisia, and "undue restrictions on civic space" in China, among others.

Also Monday, the rights council was taking up discussions on rights situations in Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.

(With inputs from agencies.)