The UN’s Special Rapporteur on torture, Swiss citizen Nils Melzer, will step down from the role in March to start a new job at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/dos
Melzer, who took up the United Nations (UN) position in 2016, said on Thursday that the two positions were “incompatible”, which is why he will be leaving the UN on March 31, six months before his mandate was due to wrap up.
Whereas the UN role is public facing, mobilising, and demands straight-talking, the ICRC is an institution of confidentiality and long-term closed-door talks, he told the German press agency DPA.
Melzer also said on Twitter that his resignation was “in order to avoid any perceived conflict of interest or contradiction in terms of public position, advocacy, or confidentiality”.
More
More
UN torture rapporteur on the millions at risk
This content was published on
What’s it like to be the UN ‘Special Rapporteur’ on torture?
During his time as torture rapporteur, Melzer was a sometimes outspoken figure in the media. In Switzerland, he has publicly criticised the “inhumane” detention conditions of “Brian K”, a violent repeat offender held in solitary confinement in canton Zurich. Melzer slammed the Swiss foreign ministry for not giving him an answer on the case.
Melzer also took a stance on Julian Assange, saying the treatment of the Wikileaks founder was politically motivated and persecutory. “The case is a huge scandal and represents the failure of Western rule of law,” he said in January 2020.
In summer 2021 he suggested that police violence against protestors at an unauthorised anti-Covid demonstration in Berlin might well have amounted to a violation of human rights.
Melzer will become Director of International Law, Policy and Humanitarian Diplomacy at the Geneva-based ICRC as of July 1 this year. He previously worked for the ICRC between 1999 and 2011.
Popular Stories
More
Climate solutions
Switzerland turns train tracks into solar power plants
In Switzerland more people are being referred to electrical therapies or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Are there similar approaches where you live?
Vast majority of Swiss support social media ban for under-16s
This content was published on
Around 80% of people who took part in a recent survey in Switzerland said they were in favour of a social media ban for under-16s.
Koyo Kouoh, prominent art world figure, dies aged 58
This content was published on
Koyo Kouoh, curator of the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, Biennale Arte 2026, has died, aged 58, it was announced on Saturday.
This content was published on
One in seven adults in Switzerland has fallen victim to a cyber scam, according to a survey published by the SonntagsZeitung newspaper. One-third of victims have lost over CHF1,000 ($1,200).
Treasury secretary says Swiss firms want to invest up to CHF200 billion in US
This content was published on
According to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Swiss companies have indicated their interest in investing CHF150-200 billion ($180-240 billion) in the United States.
Trump hails ‘great progress’ at US-China trade talks in Geneva
This content was published on
US President Donald Trump on Saturday welcomed the "great progress" made at talks between the US and China in Geneva on tariffs.
Switzerland plans to open Venice’s Palazzo Trevisan to wider audience
This content was published on
The Swiss foreign ministry is taking over the management of the Palazzo Trevisan in Venice, which until now had been overseen mainly by the Swiss Arts Council, Pro Helvetia.
United States and China start tariff talks in Geneva
This content was published on
The United States and China have started talks in Geneva aiming to de-escalate a dispute that threatens to cut off trade between the world’s two biggest economies and damage the global economy.
Switzerland takes over investigation into SWISS emergency landing in Austria
This content was published on
Following the emergency landing of a Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) plane in Austria last December, during which a crew member died, Austria has now handed over the investigation to Switzerland.
‘September 5’ takes top honours at German Film Awards
This content was published on
Swiss director Tim Fehlbaum's real-life thriller September 5, based on the terrorist attacks on the 1972 Munich Olympics, has won the Golden Lola.
Switzerland and US agree to accelerate tariff talks
This content was published on
After a meeting with US ministers in Geneva on Friday, the Swiss president intends to present Washington with a declaration of intent in the next two weeks.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Experts call for more action after girls’ return from Syrian camp
This content was published on
Human rights experts welcome the repatriation of two Swiss girls from a camp in northeast Syria, but say Switzerland should be doing more.
Government’s reticence over Julian Assange criticised
This content was published on
The UN special rapporteur against torture has criticised the Swiss government for failing to support the founder of Wikileaks.
This content was published on
UN special rapporteur against torture, Nils Melzer, has condemned the "violent repression" of demonstrations in Colombia.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.