UN human rights chief Volker Turk said Thursday his agency was “in survival mode” due to funding shortfalls, as he launched a $400 million appeal to tackle global rights crises in 2026. “Our reporting provides credible information on atrocities and human rights trends at a time when truth is being eroded by disinformation and censorship,” Turk said. “We are currently in survival mode, delivering under strain,” said Turk. He said human rights accounted for a very small slice of all UN spending but produced “high-impact” results that help to stabilize communities, build trust in institutions and underpin lasting peace. In 2025, UN human rights staff working in 87 countries undertook more than 5,000 human rights monitoring missions -- down from 11,000 in 2024.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 05, 2026 12:15 UTC