UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk launched a $400 million funding appeal in Geneva, warning that the world cannot afford a human rights system in crisis. Speaking on Thursday, he emphasized that while the financial cost of human rights work is low, the human cost of underinvestment is immeasurable. He described the UN as a lifeline for the abused, a megaphone for the silenced, and a steadfast ally to human rights defenders.
In 2025, UN human rights staff observed over 1,300 trials in 87 countries, supported 67,000 survivors of torture, documented tens of thousands of human rights violations, and contributed to the release of more than 4,000 people from arbitrary detention. Their work also included documenting civilian casualties and providing early warning and risk analysis in 21 armed conflicts, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and atrocities in Sudan.
Türk stressed the importance of aligning economic policies with human rights to promote peace and stability. In 2025, OHCHR collaborated with more than 35 governments to integrate human rights into economic and social policies, citing Djibouti as an example, where staff conducted a human rights review of the health budget with a focus on people with disabilities.
The High Commissioner acknowledged the contributions of 113 funding partners to OHCHR’s 2025 budget but warned that the office is currently operating in “survival mode.” Funding shortfalls have forced OHCHR to reduce its presence in 17 countries, curtail programs for marginalized communities, and lay off roughly 300 staff members. Reduced support for journalists and human rights defenders has increased risks of repression and surveillance in many regions.
For 2026, OHCHR seeks to be more ambitious, agile, and creative. While the UN General Assembly approved a regular budget of $224.3 million—a 10 percent decrease from 2025—the office is requesting an additional $400 million in voluntary contributions. Türk highlighted the high-impact nature of human rights work and urged member states to provide timely and flexible funding, noting that human rights cannot wait.
