United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned Friday of increasing threats to women's rights around the world, describing violence against them as a "global emergency." The UN official cited before the Human Rights Council in Geneva the rampant murders of women and the horrific abuses revealed in cases such as the case of American billionaire Jeffrey Epstein and the case of French survivor Giselle Bellico, asking whether anyone believes “that there are not many men like Dominic Bellico or Jeffrey Epstein.”

Published on: 02/27/2026 - 16:42

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Friday denounced the increasing threats to women's rights around the world, highlighting the rampant murders of women and horrific abuses revealed in cases such as that of American Jeffrey Epstein, convicted of sex crimes.

In his speech before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Türk criticized “social systems that silence women and girls” and allow powerful men to assault them with impunity. The High Commissioner for Human Rights told the United Nations' highest human rights body that "violence against women, including the killing of women, is a global emergency."

Afghanistan and the gender “apartheid” system

Turk highlighted the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, warning that “the segregation system imposed on women is reminiscent of the apartheid system, which is based on gender, not race.” He also referred to two recent cases that sparked global shock: the case of the convict Epstein and the case of the French rape survivor Giselle Bellico.

Read also: The rise of male discourse: Refuting nine misogynistic propaganda theses

Turk said the two cases "demonstrate the extent of exploitation and abuse of women and girls," asking, "Does anyone think there aren't many men like Dominic Pellico or Jeffrey Epstein?"

Impunity for influential people

Despite Epstein's 2008 conviction for child prostitution, the financier was connected to the world's rich, famous and influential people. Epstein died in a New York prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, and his death was ruled a suicide.

For her part, Giselle Bellico revealed the details of her horrific case when she waived her right to conceal her identity during the trial of her ex-husband, Dominique, and dozens of strangers who brought her to rape her while she was unconscious in France in 2024. Turk said, “Such horrific violations are facilitated by social systems that silence women and girls, and protect powerful men from accountability.”

He stressed the need for states to investigate all alleged crimes, protect survivors and ensure justice without fear or favour.

Misogyny in the digital space

Türk expressed his deep concern about the increasing attacks on women appearing in the media, including online. "Every politician I meet tells me she faces misogyny and hatred online," he said. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed his deep concern about the rampant violence targeting women.

He pointed out that in 2024 alone, “about 50,000 women and girls were killed around the world...most of them at the hands of members of their families.” “Violence against women, including femicide, represents a global emergency,” he told the council.

France 24/AFP

Keywords related to the article

The content you want to browse is no longer in service or is currently unavailable.