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UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk announced the initiative in Geneva, describing it as a direct response to what he called a world “in chaos”. Talk to UN NewsMr Türk said the Alliance was designed to channel the energy of people who want change.
A better world
“The majority of people around the world want a better world – they want a fairer world, a more just world,’ he said. ‘Human rights are part of who they are. They are part of our DNA.”
The Alliance aims to bring together various actors – governments, civil society, business, cities, religious leaders, artists, academics and young people – in a common framework built on three principles: imagine, dialogue, act.
That concept note published by OHCHR described the human rights system as facing “unprecedented strains,” with violations going unpunished, civic space shrinking, some countries retreating from multilateral commitments and funding shortfalls threatening the broader ecosystem.
Take action
A series of concrete initiatives will be launched this month, including the Global Helpdesk on Business and Human Rights, the RightsX Summit on digital innovation, and the Human Rights in Every Classroom program to embed human rights education at all school levels.
Mr Türk also set ambitious targets expanded its network of “human rights cities” from 104 to 1,000 worldwide.
On the key issues of redress and accountability, Türk was candid. “One of the most important things is to give a voice to the victims of human rights violations and conflict,” he said, citing civilians affected by wars in Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan and Haiti.
Strong responsibility
He also discussed the growing power of big tech companies, and warned that human rights must serve as a guide and regulatory framework when enormous financial and political power is being exercised.
The Alliance is structured as a long-term effort, not a one-off campaign, with a three-year milestone coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the Alliance’s founding. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on December 10, 2028.
The annual Global Alliance Human Rights Forum, held annually on that date, will track progress and set priorities.
Geneva was chosen as the home of the initiative, Türk said, given the concentration of human rights institutions there – although he stressed that the alliance would have “a place anywhere, wherever human rights are discussed.”
Listen to our full interview with High Commissioner Volker Türk:
