Human rights face global challenges, as highlighted by the United Nations’ chief in a recent address, pointing out rampant violations of international laws and severe civilian suffering in conflicts across regions like Sudan, Gaza, and Ukraine.
During the opening of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his concerns, emphasizing that the rule of force is overshadowing the rule of law. He urged member states to not selectively prioritize international human rights issues.
Guterres defended the UN human rights system, which he stated is struggling due to financial constraints, attacks on its experts, and the US’s withdrawal from a key universal rights accountability mechanism. He emphasized the surge in humanitarian needs juxtaposed with a decline in funding.
The UN human rights office, along with other UN branches, faces budgetary strains following funding reductions, including significant cuts from the US, a major UN donor. In February, the US paid only a fraction of its owed contributions to the UN, exacerbating the financial strain.
Volker Turk, the UN rights chief, echoed these worries, cautioning against a concerning trend where notions of domination and supremacy are resurfacing.
