The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights who has openly criticised powerful governments, including the Trump administration, has said he will not seek a second four-year term as it “might involve bending a knee in supplication”.

The decision by Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, a Jordanian prince and former diplomat, was conveyed in a short statement that was emailed to his staff on Wednesday. His four-year term expires next September, the New York Times reported.

“After reflection, I have decided not to seek a second four-year term,” Al-Hussein wrote. “To do so, in the current geopolitical context, might involve bending a knee in supplication; muting a statement of advocacy; lessening the independence and integrity of my voice – which is your voice.”

This week Al-Hussein described the US decision to recognise Jerusalem of Israel’s capital as “dangerously provocative” and blamed the President’s announcement for violence in which five people died.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres had urged Al-Hussein to ease off his public criticism of Trump over fears it put US support for the UN at risk, reported Foreign Policy, which obtained the Human Rights chief’s email to staff.

It has been unclear for months whether Guterres, would support him in seeking a second term or whether the five veto-wielding permanent members of the UN Security Council would use their influence to block it.

Al-Hussein had been critical of all of them.

He has been outspoken about the Russian-backed government of Syria. He has warned of the prospects of genocide by the Chinese-backed government of Myanmar.

He has also called out the Trump administration several times, most importantly on the travel ban against citizens of Muslim-majority countries and after the demonstrations by white supremacists in Virginia.

Stéphane Dujarric, a spokesman for Guterres, confirmed Al-Hussein’s plans to leave after his term expires.

“The High Commissioner informed the Secretary General last week of his intention not to seek another term,” Dujarric said.

“The High Commissioner has always enjoyed the full support of the Secretary General,” he added.