UN rights chief says diversity should be celebrated, in jab at Trump

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By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United Nations’ top human rights official said on Friday that diversity was not a threat and should be treasured, in comments that appeared aimed at Donald Trump over the U.S. president’s campaign against diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk made the comments in a statement issued ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, in which he condemned rising antisemitism around the world.

KEY QUOTES

“All too often, discrimination and dehumanisation are winning out over solidarity and compassion; diversity is viewed as a threat rather than something to be treasured; and many leaders are undermining and weakening the rule of law,” Turk said in his statement.

“I fear that we are sleepwalking into a grim future where human rights and dignity are denied, stripped away or forgotten,” he added.

The White House had no immediate comment.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

While Turk’s statement did not mention Trump by name, it came after the U.S. president issued a series of executive orders seeking to dismantle DEI programs in the United States.

DEI programs attempt to promote opportunities for women, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ people and other traditionally underrepresented groups. Civil rights advocates have argued such programs are necessary to address longstanding inequities and structural racism.

Allies of Trump, who took office on Monday, defend the actions by saying DEI programs end up unfairly discriminating against other Americans and weaken the importance of candidates’ merit in job hiring or promotion.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; editing by Rami Ayyub and Diane Craft)