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

WASHINGTON: The United Nations’ (UN) 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 US president’s campaign against diversity, equity and inclusion programmes.

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.

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“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.

While the UN rights chief’s statement on diversity did not mention Trump by name, it came after the US president issued a series of executive orders seeking to dismantle DEI programmes in the United States.

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

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