More Than 60 Armed Conflicts Push World Into Dangerous Territory

COLOMBO (News 1st); United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has warned that the world is witnessing its highest number of state-linked armed conflicts since the end of the Second World War, describing the current global situation as deeply alarming and increasingly dangerous.

Addressing the 63rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Türk said recent years have been marked by a growing number of armed conflicts, declining respect for international human rights and humanitarian law, and a weakening commitment to the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

According to the High Commissioner, there are currently more than 60 wars involving at least one State, the highest figure recorded since World War II. He cautioned that the rise in direct conflict between states is leading the international community into particularly dangerous territory.

Türk expressed concern over renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran, warning that tensions are affecting the entire Gulf region and producing geopolitical and economic consequences that are reverberating across the globe.

Calling the crisis avoidable, he appealed for an immediate return to negotiations and diplomatic engagement.

The High Commissioner also highlighted Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, now entering its fifth year, describing the conflict as being on a menacing trajectory as civilian casualties continue to rise and attacks on critical energy infrastructure intensify.

He voiced particular concern over reports that fully autonomous drones allegedly launched by the Russian Federation killed three Ukrainians last month. Türk noted that Ukraine has also reportedly field-tested similar systems.

Describing such developments as deeply troubling, he joined calls for an urgent international prohibition on weapons capable of taking human lives without human involvement in decision-making.

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

The High Commissioner also called on governments around the world to strengthen domestic accountability mechanisms and provide full support to the International Criminal Court. He urged states that have not yet done so to make greater use of universal jurisdiction mechanisms to ensure individuals accused of atrocity crimes can be brought to justice, even when national courts are unwilling or unable to act.

Türk emphasized that the impact of conflict extends far beyond the battlefield, affecting societies for generations.

"The tragedy of conflict has touched almost all our lives," he said, warning that the consequences of war continue to be felt through loss of life, displacement, public health challenges and environmental destruction.