‘Human rights are part of our DNA’: UN launches global alliance to counter rising threats

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk unveiled the initiative in Geneva, describing it as a direct response to what he called a world "in disarray." Speaking to UN News, Mr. Türk said the Alliance was designed to channel the energy of people who want change.

A better world

"The vast 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 unite a sweeping range of actors – governments, civil society, businesses, cities, faith leaders, artists, academics and young people – around a shared framework built on three principles: imagine, dialogue, act.

The concept note published by OHCHR describes the human rights system as facing "unprecedented strain," with violations going unpunished, civic space shrinking, some States retreating from multilateral commitments and severe underfunding threatening the broader ecosystem.

Taking action

A series of concrete initiatives are set to launch this month, including a Global Helpdesk on Business and Human Rights, a RightsX Summit on digital innovation, and a Human Rights in Every Classroom programme to embed rights education at all levels of schooling.

Mr. Türk also set an ambitious target of expanding the network of “human rights cities” from 104 to 1,000 worldwide.

On the key issue of redress and accountability, Mr. Türk was direct. “One of the most important things is to give victims of human rights violations, of conflict, a voice,” he said, citing civilians affected by wars in Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan and Haiti.

Powerful responsibilities

He also addressed the growing power of large technology companies, warning that human rights must serve as both a guide and a regulatory framework when enormous financial and political power is being exercised.

The Alliance is structured as a long-term endeavour, not a one-off campaign, with a three-year milestone timed to the 80th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on 10 December 2028.

An annual Global Alliance Human Rights Forum, convened each year on that date, will track progress and set priorities.

Geneva was chosen as the natural home of the initiative, Mr. Türk said, given its concentration of human rights institutions – though he stressed the alliance would have “a home everywhere, wherever human rights are being discussed.”

Listen to our full interview with High Commissioner Volker Türk: