UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk launched a USD 400 million funding appeal for 2026 to address urgent global human rights needs, highlighting that underfunding the human rights system comes at a severe human cost. He emphasized that human rights work provides a lifeline for victims, amplifies the voices of the silenced, and supports defenders of human rights worldwide.
In 2025, the UN Human Rights Office operated in 87 countries, monitoring over 1,300 trials, supporting 67,000 survivors of torture, documenting tens of thousands of human rights violations, and aiding the release of more than 4,000 people from arbitrary detention. Türk stressed that promoting economic and social rights is critical to peace and stability, noting that human rights-centered policies ensure inclusive economic growth rather than deepening inequality.
The Office also worked with more than 35 governments on the human rights economy, analyzing national policies to ensure alignment with human rights, including assessing health budgets in Djibouti with a focus on people with disabilities. Reduced funding in 2025 led to significant operational cuts: only 5,000 human rights monitoring missions were conducted compared to 11,000 in 2024, and critical programmes in Myanmar, Honduras, and Chad faced major reductions or cancellations.
Türk highlighted that these funding shortfalls weakened the Office’s ability to provide credible reporting, which informs UN Security Council deliberations, Human Rights Council discussions, and international courts. The liquidity crisis also limited the broader human rights ecosystem, preventing scheduled State party dialogues, country visits by treaty bodies and Special Rapporteurs, and hampering investigative work.
Staffing and presence were severely affected, with around 300 of 2,000 staff lost and entire programmes reduced or closed in 17 countries, undermining “Protection by Presence,” a principle where human rights officers’ on-the-ground presence deters violations and reduces harm. In 2025, the Office received only USD 191.5 million of its approved regular budget of USD 246 million and USD 257.8 million in voluntary contributions out of the requested USD 500 million.
For 2026, the UN General Assembly approved a regular budget of USD 224.3 million, 10 percent lower than in 2025, and the Office is seeking an additional USD 400 million in voluntary contributions. Türk emphasized that human rights work represents a small fraction of UN spending yet delivers high impact by stabilizing communities, building trust in institutions, and supporting lasting peace. He called for more unearmarked and timely contributions to ensure rapid responses, stressing that human rights work cannot wait.
