Volker Turk told the UN Human Rights Council that policies aimed at protecting marginalized people are called “discriminatory.”
The UN Human Rights Chief has expressed deep concern about the “basic change in direction” by the United States under President Donald Trump, warning that divisive rhetoric is being used to deceive and polarize people.
“We have enjoyed bipartisan support from the United States on human rights for decades. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights spoke to the UN Human Rights Council on Monday in Geneva, Switzerland, during a speech that he did not mention Trump by name.
“Policies aimed at protecting people from discrimination are now labelled as discriminatory. …Schilling rhetoric is being used, distorted, deceived and polarized. This creates fear and anxiety among many,” he added in his strongest remarks on the impact of the new US administration’s policies to date.
Since taking office on January 20th, Trump has issued a series of executive orders aimed at dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion programs across the federal government. Many private companies are following along.
Trump also suspended the US Organization for International Development (USAID) program for 90 days, reviewing whether his administration coincided with his “America First” policy.
Last week, the Trump administration announced that it had cancelled its foreign aid grants and contracts worth almost $600 billion. 90% USAID’s international work.
The President has also freed the United States from several international organizations and agreements, including the Human Rights Council, the World Health Organization, and the Paris Climate Agreement.
The Turks have criticized tech billionaire Elon Musk as head of the government’s efficiency department.
Without mentioning him by name, Turk expressed concern over the growing influence being made by “a few unselected technical oligarchs” who know people’s data.
The Turks warned that these technological tycoons “know where we live, our genes and our health, our thoughts, our habits, our desires and fears.”
“They know us better than we know ourselves and know how to manipulate us,” he said. He warned that unregulated forces could lead to “oppression, conquest, and even tyranny: the dictator’s playbook.”
The UN chief urged the people to protect their citizens from unidentified power and “work together.”