Budget cuts force layoffs and reduced presence in 17 countries, threatening global human rights monitoring.
The United Nations human rights office is operating “in survival mode” as High Commissioner Volker Türk appeals for $400 million in voluntary contributions for 2026.
Speaking in Geneva, Türk warned that the world cannot afford a human rights system in crisis, even as his office faces layoffs and reduced operations amid mounting global conflicts.
“The cost of our work is low; the human cost of under‑investment is immeasurable,” Türk said.
In 2025, UN human rights staff in 87 countries observed more than 1,300 trials, supported 67,000 survivors of torture, documented tens of thousands of violations, and contributed to the release of over 4,000 people from arbitrary detention.
They also tracked civilian casualties and informed humanitarian responses through risk analysis and early warning in 21 armed conflicts worldwide.
In Ukraine, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission remains the only organisation maintaining a comprehensive record of civilian casualties since Russia’s 2014 invasion.
In Sudan, staff provided vital support to survivors of sexual violence and other atrocities, laying the groundwork for justice and accountability.
Türk admitted the office is delivering “under strain.” Funding shortfalls have already forced layoffs of 300 staff out of 2,000 and reduced presence in 17 countries, wiping out programmes for Indigenous Peoples and other marginalised groups. Support for journalists and human rights defenders has also been curtailed, leaving civic space more vulnerable to surveillance and repression.
The UN General Assembly approved a regular budget of $224.3 million for 2026, down 10% from 2025. OHCHR is now seeking an additional $400 million in voluntary contributions to sustain operations. Türk stressed that human rights remain a low‑cost, high‑impact investment:
“Historically, human rights account for an extremely small portion of all UN spending. We need to step up support for this work that stabilises communities, builds trust in institutions, and supports lasting peace.”
Türk’s appeal comes as disinformation, censorship, and repression erode truth worldwide. Without renewed funding, OHCHR risks losing its role as a lifeline for the abused, a megaphone for the silenced, and an ally to those defending rights at great personal risk.
“In times of conflict and in times of peace, we are a lifeline for the abused, a steadfast ally to those who risk everything to defend the rights of others,” he said.
With crises multiplying, the High Commissioner insists OHCHR must be “more ambitious, agile, and creative in 2026.” But without urgent financial support, the UN’s human rights machinery faces the prospect of shrinking just when global demand for accountability is at its highest.
