UN: World Getting More Dangerous Due to Armed Conflicts

JAKARTA - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has warned the world is becoming more dangerous as the number of armed conflicts, disregard for international law, and attacks on civilians increase.

"Threats and the use of violence to resolve disputes are becoming more frequent and normalized," Turk told the Human Rights Council, noting that the number of armed conflicts has almost doubled since 2010 to around 60.

"The world is really becoming a more dangerous place," he said, as reported by ANTARA, Friday, February 27.

Turk said civilians bore the highest risk, describing the conflict as a "human rights wasteland," and warned against the return of violence as a principle in international affairs.

He cited major crises, from Sudan and Ukraine to the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories and Myanmar, as examples of "flagrant violations of international law," including attacks on infrastructure, humanitarian convoys, and civilian populations.

"Attacks on civilians have increased by almost a third," he said, adding that ignoring serious crimes would only trigger "greater bloodshed."

He also warned that some leaders were weakening institutions designed to enforce global law and accountability.

"Instead, some of them have attacked the institutions designed to keep us safe - the United Nations, including the International Court of Justice; the International Criminal Court; this Council and its mechanisms," Turk said.

Despite the bleak outlook, he stressed that human rights remain central to global stability and public trust.

"In short, people want their human rights," he said.

Turk urged countries to recommit to international law, accountability, and cooperation.