GENEVA — The United Nations human rights chief has expressed concern about a "fundamental shift in direction" taking place in the United States, warning that divisive rhetoric is being used to deceive and polarize people.

"I am now deeply worried by the fundamental shift in direction that is taking place domestically and internationally," Volker Turk, UN high commissioner for human rights, said in a speech on Monday. "Divisive rhetoric is being used to distort, deceive and polarize. This is generating fear and anxiety among many."

Alluding to the US, he lamented how policies aimed at protecting people from discrimination "are now labeled as discriminatory", and said intimidation and threats "notably against journalists and public officials" risk undermining the work of institutions and independent media.

Turk's speech to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva were his strongest remarks so far on the effect of policies by the new US administration of President Donald Trump.

He did not specifically refer to the administration, which announced pulling the United States out of the 47-member council in January.

Since taking office on Jan 20, Trump has issued a series of executive orders aimed at dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion programs across the federal government and the private sector.

Programs of the United States Agency for International Development were also paused for 90 days, while his administration reviewed if they align with its "America First" policy.

"Sweeping cuts to domestic social safety nets, climate finance and foreign aid signal a massive setback for human rights protection, for conflict prevention, and for global stability", Turk said.

Use of technology

The rights chief also issued a stark warning about the threat from unchecked use and development of technology. He mentioned the power of "a handful of unelected tech oligarchs" and insisted it is time to adapt quickly to the threat of rising oppression and autocratic rule.

"Individuals and corporations have never had so much control and influence over our lives," Turk said. "A handful of unelected tech oligarchs have our data: They know where we live, what we do, our genes and our health conditions, our thoughts, our habits, our desires and our fears. They know us better than we know ourselves."

In his global review of the state of human rights, Turk warned that the core of an international order he said had brought unprecedented stability risked crumbling, as 120 conflicts rage around the world.

He also expressed alarm about the use of military weapons against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and called for Israel to stop its annexation threats.

Agencies via Xinhua