The rising far-right in Europe should ring alarm bells about racism and victimisation, according to the UN’s human rights chief.

Speaking in Geneva recently, Volker Turk said: “I am always worried when I hear narratives that denigrate the other, dehumanize the other, that make scapegoats of migrants and refugees, and asylum seekers of minority groups.”

He was speaking after far-right gains in European Parliament and France elections.

“We need to be very vigilant, because especially history tells us, in particular in Europe, that the vilification of the other, that the denigration of the other is a harbinger for what’s to come,” he said.

“This is an alarm bell that we need to ring.”

The UN human rights chief has warned about rising hatred and discrimination around the world in a “mega-year for elections,” calling on voters to put rights of others in mind when they cast their ballots.

Mr Turk spoke as major elections in France and Britain got underway and are due in the US and German later this year.

Immigrants, refugees and other foreigners have been “scapegoats” for some political parties, he said.

“I’m always worried when I hear narratives that denigrate the other, that dehumanize the other, that makes scapegoats of migrants, of refugees, of asylum seekers, of minority groups,” Mr Turk said.

He called out the “politics of distraction” and said political leaders needed to stand up against the discourse of hate.

“History tells us that the denigration of the other is a harbinger for worse to come,” he said.

“Especially in this year, which is the mega-year for elections,” he noted the United States, India, Europe and beyond have experienced electoral seasons “that often lead to a speech of hatred and dehumanization of the other.”

He said there must be “zero tolerance” for hate speech and rejected any attempts to denigrate “the other.”

Meanwhile, Mr Turk said it was critical to continue to work towards peace in Palestine.

He said it was “absolutely critical” for the human rights office to continue its work to improve the accountability for crimes committed in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

“It is critical to keep monitoring, reporting, and documenting to find ways and means to engage with authorities as well, he said.

Asked if there is a need to establish an international tribunal to tackle breach of human rights, he said: “We have existing ones, and they are being used.”

“It is important to ensure the current accountability mechanisms’ ability to work,” Mr Turk said.

Israel has killed nearly 38,000 Palestinians since an October 7, 2023, cross-border attack by Hamas.

The actions have triggered a humanitarian disaster and an ongoing trial over alleged genocide at the International Court of Justice.

Since then, Israeli raids and arrests have also increased in the West Bank.