Friday, June 12, 2026

UN Rights Commish Volker Turk Wastes Money as Laments Palais Wilson as Mike Waltz Skydives



UN Rights Commish Volker Turk Wastes Money as Laments Palais Wilson as Mike Waltz Skydives

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

UN GATE, June 10 – How corrupt and decrepit has the UN system become under Antonio Guterres, in this case due to Guterres? Today's example is again from the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights, to which Guterres appointed his unqualified crony Volker Turk more than two years ago.

 From OHCHR staff - "Dear Matthew Russell Lee, Many thanks for exposing corruption in UN under Antonio Guterres and his cronies like Volker Turk

Volker Turk hits a new low as he losses emblematic Palais Wilson after gross financial mismanagement over the last 3 years. Staff is in state of shock. We are also disheartened to see the level of impunity for senior management in today’s UN. Todays message (below) is an insult to our intelligence. Volker Turk and his senior cronies think really low of OHCHR staff. More than 25% of OHCHR staff have lost their jobs. Many families have lost their only source of income (including national staff). Many field offices have been closed. Volker Turk and his senior staff remain unaltered. Their response to the crisis is to ask for photos of Palais Wilson and to tell us it will be great to work in an open office with no privacy and where there is no confidentiality to discuss sensitive human rights issues:

'Our departure from Palais Wilson brings with it a mix of emotions….  Sadness at leaving this iconic building behind…  Excitement at the prospect of being together under one roof (for those of us in Geneva at least)  Maybe some apprehension about working in open space?  And possibly some curiosity at joining our fellow UN family on the same campus.   The sure thing is: We will miss Palais Wilson!!! So let's create a photo album with memories of our time in the building.   Happy moments... Challenging moments... Funny moments... Inspiring moments…  Moments through the years.'

"The message is patronising and paternalistic. OHCHR looks like an absurd comedy but it is a tragedy. When will member states take OHCHR mismanagement seriously? When will Volker Turk and his cleptocracy be held accountable?

Amb Waltz, the ball is on your court."

Fat chance.

 So far, nothing from Mike Waltz, last seen skydiving in France. Meanwhile both Big Tony and Amina junketed on April 15 to the IMF which Inner City Press is accredited to cover, and at which it asked questions - but not of Tony, as UNCTAD denied Inner City Press to its "side event." The UN is dying, or being killed off.

There's a new NextSG candidate, Maria Fernanda Espinosa. Two days ago she and her sponsor Antigua and Barbuda were sent a questionnaire about about this. So far, nothing. Watch this site.

Inner City Press re-applied to re-enter the UN on June 19, 2025 - no answer at all from Melissa Fleming, Tel Mekel, Stephane Dujarric for six months, then a denial with no reason at all given. Today's UN is corrupt.

***

Your support means a lot. As little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here to become a patron.

sdny

Feedback: Editorial [at] innercitypress.com
SDNY Press Room
500 Pearl Street, NY NY 10007 USA

Mail: Box 130222, Chinatown Station, NY NY 10013

Reporter's mobile (and weekends): 718-716-3540



Other, earlier Inner City Press are listed here, and some are available in the ProQuest service, and now on Lexis-Nexis.

 Copyright 2006-2025 Inner City Press, Inc. To request reprint or other permission, e-contact Editorial [at] innercitypress.com