United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that human rights are facing mounting pressure around the world, pointing to violations of international law and severe civilian suffering in conflicts including Sudan, Gaza and Ukraine.
Addressing the opening of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Guterres said the «rule of law is being outmuscled by the rule of force» and accused some actors of deliberately rolling back fundamental rights. He urged member states not to treat international human rights standards as optional commitments.
Guterres also defended the UN human rights system, describing it as operating in «survival mode». He cited funding reductions, criticism of independent experts and the United States’ withdrawal from a key global accountability mechanism as major setbacks.
«Humanitarian needs are exploding while funding collapses,» he said.
The UN human rights office is grappling with a financial shortfall after the United States, traditionally the organisation’s largest donor, reduced its contributions along with several other governments. According to a UN spokesperson, Washington paid about $160 mln in February towards more than $4 bn it currently owes to the organisation.
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