60 wars now active, highest since WWII: UN Rights Chief

Tuesday, 8 September 2026 05:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk told the UN Human Rights Council’s 63rd Session that more than 60 wars involving at least one state are currently active, the highest count since World War Two, warning of declining respect for international law and a weakening commitment to the UN Charter.

He flagged renewed US-Iran hostilities as destabilising the Gulf region, calling the crisis avoidable and urging an immediate return to negotiations. On Ukraine, now in its fifth year of Russian invasion, Türk cited rising civilian casualties and intensifying energy-infrastructure strikes, and voiced concern over reports that Russian autonomous drones killed three Ukrainians last month, noting Kyiv has also tested similar systems. He renewed calls for an international ban on weapons that can kill without human decision-making.

“There is only one way out of this madness: peace negotiations that respect the UN Charter,” Türk said.

He urged governments to strengthen domestic accountability, back the International Criminal Court, and expand use of universal jurisdiction to prosecute atrocity crimes where national courts cannot or will not act. “The tragedy of conflict has touched almost all our lives,” he said, citing lasting effects on displacement, public health and the environment.