Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has urged citizens around the world “to be vigilant” when electing leaders.
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![UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk in Geneva, Switzerland, on December 6, 2023. (FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP)](https://www.francetvinfo.fr/pictures/ynRNDE-JmNLt17Zo2kTxkS_oaxo/0x0:1024x575/432x243/2024/09/09/000-34723eh-66dec438842e9816918252.jpg)
The world is located “at the crossroads” and heads towards a “dystopian future”made up of military escalations, repression and disinformation, warned the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Monday, September 9. “We can either continue on our current path – a dangerous new normal – and sleepwalk into a dystopian future. Or we can wake up and turn things around for the betterment of ourselves, humanity and the planet.”said Volker Türk.
The UN official warned against this “new normal” which would be made of“endless military escalation” and of “increasingly horrific and technologically advanced methods of war, control and repression.” He also warned against “the widespread dissemination of disinformation, which stifles the facts and the ability to make free and informed choices.”
Volker Türk therefore invited citizens around the world to “be vigilant” when they have to elect leaders. “Beware of loud voices, of strong men who throw dust in people’s eyes, proposing illusory solutions that deny reality”he warned. “Realize that when one group is made the scapegoat, one day you may be the next.”