Volker Türk in Vienna from 5-8 June for 30th anniversary of landmark declaration that paved way for UN Human Rights Office

GENEVA (1 June 2023) – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk  will be in the Austrian capital, Vienna, from 5 to 8 June for events commemorating the 30th anniversary of the World Conference on Human Rights which took place in Vienna in 1993 and paved the way for the creation of the UN Human Rights Office.

The programme, organised by the Government of Austria in co-operation with the UN Human Rights Office, is one of the key milestones in a year-long initiative by the High Commissioner and his Office to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The first event will be a Vienna Youth Human Rights Defenders Conference on Monday, 5 June. On Tuesday 6 June, Türk will deliver the keynote address at the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action +30 Symposium - “Vienna World Conference - 30 Years On: Our Rights – Our Future” -  at the MQ Libelle. There will also be panels addressing the universality of human rights, technology and human rights, as well as human rights as the solution to global challenges.

While in Vienna, the High Commissioner will meet Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and other Government ministers. Türk will also have an exchange with members of the Austrian Parliament’s Human Rights Committee. Other discussions include meetings with civil society representatives and faith leaders, judges of the Constitutional Court, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, as well as UN entities in Vienna.

On Thursday 8 June, the High Commissioner will address the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Permanent Council regarding the UN Human Rights Office’s Human Rights 75 initiative.

Türk will hold a media briefing on Monday, 5 June, at 10h15 in Room C0225A at the Vienna International Centre. Journalists who are not accredited to the Vienna International Centre need to register by COB on Friday 2 June by writing to press.vienna@un.org.

ENDS