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World / Americas

UN urges 'accountability' after 23 die in US immigration custody in 2026

Published: 07 Sep 2026 - 12:24 pm | Last Updated: 07 Sep 2026 - 12:26 pm
UN High commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk delivers a speech during the 63rd session of United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, in Geneva, on September 7, 2026. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)

UN High commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk delivers a speech during the 63rd session of United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, in Geneva, on September 7, 2026. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)

AFP

Geneva: The United Nations rights chief demanded Monday accountability for swelling numbers of deaths in US immigration custody, and urged Washington to halt deportations to places where people face "irreparable harm".

"Four more people have died in US immigration custody since (June), for a total of 23 deaths in 2026 alone. There needs to be accountability for these deaths," Volker Turk said in an opening address to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.