UN Human Rights Office Struggles in “Survival Mode”.

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The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is facing one of the most severe financial crises in its history, threatening its ability to protect human rights at a time of escalating global conflict. Speaking in Geneva on December 10, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned that the office is operating in “survival mode” following major funding cuts from international donors, according to Reuters.

OHCHR is facing a funding shortfall of approximately 90 million US dollars in 2025, a gap that has forced the elimination of around 300 jobs, representing nearly 15 per cent of its workforce. These cuts have had direct operational consequences, limiting the office’s capacity to conduct investigations, support victims, and engage with governments on their human rights obligations.

Türk stressed that essential human rights work has already been reduced or suspended in several countries, including Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar and Tunisia, despite rising needs. Visits by UN special rapporteurs (independent experts tasked with monitoring and reporting on human rights issues) have been scaled back, while fact-finding and investigative missions have been postponed. In addition, the number of state reviews under UN human rights treaties has dropped sharply, from 145 reviews to just 103, weakening international accountability mechanisms.

The funding crisis comes at a particularly critical moment. In Sudan, renewed violence in Darfur and the expansion of fighting into the Kordofan region have raised fears of mass atrocities. Türk warned of the risk of a repeat of the crimes committed in El-Fasher, as the Rapid Support Forces consolidate control over strategic territories, including vital oil infrastructure. Reduced monitoring capacity, he cautioned, could allow grave violations to go undocumented.

In Ukraine, the High Commissioner highlighted a 24 per cent increase in civilian casualties compared to the same period last year, largely driven by Russia’s increased use of long-range and high-impact weapons. OHCHR’s ability to document violations, support accountability efforts, and advocate for civilian protection is increasingly strained under current budgetary constraints.

Beyond individual crises, human rights organisations warn that chronic underfunding of OHCHR reflects a broader political trend. According to reports by the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), some governments are increasingly seeking to limit scrutiny and reduce support for multilateral human rights mechanisms, even as global military spending rises.

Türk emphasised that the consequences of these cuts extend far beyond the UN system. “All this has extensive ripple effects on international and national efforts to protect human rights,” he said. Without sustained and predictable funding, the world’s primary human rights body risks losing its capacity to respond effectively to crises, leaving millions without protection at a time when it is most urgently needed.

written by Matilde Angela Paganini