Guterres Warns of Global ‘Moral Crisis’ in Rights Speech

Popular, student-led protests against the Government in Bangladesh in 2024 were met with violent oppression by security forces, but ultimately forced the Prime Minister to resign.

The world is facing a “moral crisis” marked by rising authoritarianism, deepening inequality, and a dangerous indifference to human suffering, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned in a powerful address on human rights.

Recalling his own experience living under dictatorship in Portugal, Mr. Guterres told participants at the Global Assembly of international rights group Amnesty International on Friday that the fight for human rights is “more important than ever.”

He called on states to uphold international law and defend human rights “consistently and universally, even – or especially – when inconvenient,” urging collective action to restore global trust, dignity, and justice.

Mr. Guterres painted a stark picture of a world in turmoil, citing multiple ongoing crises – foremost among them, the war in Gaza.

While reiterating his condemnation of the 7 October 2023 terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in Israel, the Secretary-General said that “nothing can justify the explosion of death and destruction since.”

“The scale and scope is beyond anything we have seen in recent times,” he said.

“I cannot explain the level of indifference and inaction we see from too many in the international community. The lack of compassion. The lack of truth. The lack of humanity.”

Gaza – “A moral crisis that challenges the global conscience”

Ukraine – Call for a “just and lasting peace” based on the UN Charter, international law, and resolutions

Authoritarianism – A “global contagion,” with political repression, scapegoating of minorities, and shrinking civic space

Climate Justice – Bold action needed to cut emissions; the transition to clean energy must uphold human rights

Digital Threats – Concern over algorithm-driven disinformation, hate speech, and manipulation on social media

Call to Action – “Human rights are the solution, the foundation of peace, and the engine of progress”

He described UN staff in Gaza as working in “unimaginable conditions,” many of them so depleted they “say they feel neither dead nor alive.”

Since late May, he noted, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed trying to access food – not in combat, but “in desperation – while the entire population starves.”

“This is not just a humanitarian crisis. It is a moral crisis that challenges the global conscience.”

Mr. Guterres said the UN stands ready to dramatically scale up humanitarian operations “as we successfully did during the previous pause in fighting,” but called for an “immediate and permanent ceasefire,” the unconditional release of all hostages, and full humanitarian access.

“At the same time, we need urgent, concrete, and irreversible steps towards a two-state solution,” he stressed.

He also spoke about other conflicts, including Sudan and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, where he called for a “just and lasting peace” based on the UN Charter and relevant resolutions.

The Secretary-General warned that authoritarian tactics are on the rise globally.

“We are witnessing a surge in repressive tactics aimed at eroding respect for human rights,” he said. “And these are contaminating some democracies.”

Political opposition is being crushed, accountability mechanisms dismantled, journalists and activists silenced, civic space strangled, and minorities scapegoated.

He noted that the rights of women and girls, particularly in Afghanistan, are being severely rolled back.

“This is not a series of isolated events. It is a global contagion.”

He decried the growing weaponization of digital platforms, saying algorithms are “boosting the worst of humanity – rewarding falsehoods, fueling racism and misogyny, and deepening division.”

He urged governments to uphold the Global Digital Compact and take stronger action to combat online hate and disinformation.

On climate change, Mr. Guterres described the crisis as a “human rights catastrophe”, with the poorest and most vulnerable communities suffering the most.

He welcomed the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) recent advisory opinion affirming that climate change is a human rights issue and that states have legal obligations to protect the global climate system.

But he warned:

“We cannot accept a clean energy future built on dirty practices… or massive violations of human rights – many of them against children – in the name of climate progress.”

He called for urgent emissions cuts, a just transition away from fossil fuels, and real financing for developing countries to adapt and recover.

Guterres concluded by praising Amnesty International’s decades of activism, calling its work “indispensable” to the global human rights movement.

“When you stand for human rights, you stand with what is right,” he told delegates.

“Your courage continues to change lives. Your persistence is shifting the course of history. Let’s meet this moment with the urgency it demands—and let’s never, ever give up.”