UN assembly approves four-year extension in mandate of rights chief

The United Nations General Assembly on Friday voted overwhelmingly in favor to extend the term of U.N. Human Rights chief Volker Turk for four more years, in spite of opposition from Russia, Israel and the United States.

A large majority in the 193-member General Assembly earlier voted against a Russian counter-proposal to extend Turk's term by just over two months to the end of 2026.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who has worked closely with Turk in the past and steps down in December, proposed the second four-year term for Turk when his existing term expires in October. — Reuters