The United Nations’ top human rights office is facing an unprecedented crisis, with its high commissioner, Volker Turk, warning that the agency is now in "survival mode" due to severe funding shortfalls. This stark announcement, delivered on December 10, 2025, in Geneva, comes at a time when global needs for human rights protection are soaring, particularly in conflict-ridden regions such as Sudan, Gaza, and Ukraine. The news, reported by outlets including Reuters and The Straits Times, has sent ripples through the international community, raising urgent questions about the future of human rights advocacy worldwide.
"Our resources have been slashed, along with funding for human rights organisations—including at the grassroots level—around the world. We are in survival mode," Turk told reporters, summarizing the gravity of the situation. According to the high commissioner, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has found itself $90 million short of the funding it needs for 2025. This staggering deficit has already resulted in the loss of 300 jobs, directly impacting the office’s ability to carry out its core mission.
The consequences of these cuts are both immediate and far-reaching. Essential work in countries where human rights violations are rampant—including Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, and Tunisia—has been scaled back or halted entirely. This comes at a time, Turk emphasized, when "the needs are rising." The reduction in resources means that the UN’s ability to monitor, report, and respond to abuses is being undermined, just as the global landscape grows more volatile and dangerous for vulnerable populations.
One of the most significant casualties of the budget crunch has been the reduction in country visits by UN special rapporteurs—independent experts tasked with investigating and reporting on human rights situations. Likewise, investigative missions by fact-finding bodies have been curtailed, hampering efforts to document violations and hold perpetrators accountable. Dialogues with states regarding their compliance with UN human rights treaties have also been postponed, with the number of state party reviews dropping sharply from 145 to just 103 this year.
"All this has extensive ripple effects on international and national efforts to protect human rights," Turk warned, his words echoed in reports by Reuters and The Straits Times. The high commissioner pointed to grave concerns in specific hotspots, highlighting Sudan, Gaza, and Ukraine as areas where the need for international oversight and intervention is especially acute.
In Sudan, the situation is particularly dire. The country has been embroiled in a brutal conflict for two and a half years, pitting the Sudanese army against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). In late October 2025, the RSF seized control of El-Fasher, a major city in the Darfur region, marking one of its most significant victories to date. The violence did not stop there. By December, the RSF had advanced eastward into the Kordofan region, capturing Sudan’s largest oil field—a development that not only shifts the balance of power but also raises fears of further atrocities.
"I am extremely worried that we might see in Kordofan a repeat of the atrocities that have been committed in El-Fasher," Turk said, his concern palpable as he referenced the horrific events that have unfolded in Darfur. The humanitarian implications of these advances are profound, with thousands of civilians at risk of violence, displacement, and deprivation.
Meanwhile, in Ukraine, the toll of war continues to mount. According to Turk, Russia’s increased use of powerful long-range weapons has driven a sharp rise in civilian casualties. The numbers are sobering: civilian deaths and injuries have surged by 24 percent compared to the same period in 2024. This escalation underscores the critical need for robust human rights monitoring and advocacy—precisely the kind of work now jeopardized by the OHCHR’s funding crisis.
Gaza, too, remains a flashpoint for human rights concerns, though Turk did not elaborate in detail during his remarks. The ongoing conflict and blockade have created a humanitarian emergency, with international observers warning that the lack of oversight and resources could lead to further abuses and suffering.
The ripple effects of the funding cuts extend far beyond the UN’s headquarters in Geneva. Grassroots human rights organizations around the world, many of which rely on support from the OHCHR, are also feeling the pinch. With fewer resources to document abuses, advocate for victims, or pressure governments to uphold international standards, the global human rights movement finds itself at a crossroads.
For many observers, the timing of these cuts could hardly be worse. The world is witnessing a surge in authoritarianism, armed conflict, and repression. In places like Myanmar, where a military junta seized power in 2021, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has long been plagued by violence and instability, the withdrawal of international attention and resources could have devastating consequences.
Turk’s warning is not just a call for more money—it’s a plea for renewed commitment from the global community. "Essential work has had to be cut, including on Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Tunisia and other countries at a time when the needs are rising," he said, underscoring the paradox of shrinking resources amid growing challenges.
Why are donors pulling back at such a critical moment? The reasons are complex. Some point to broader economic pressures, as governments and private donors grapple with inflation, recession fears, and competing priorities. Others cite political fatigue or shifting foreign policy agendas, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing geopolitical realignments. Whatever the cause, the effect is clear: the world’s foremost human rights watchdog is being forced to do less, just when its work is needed most.
Advocates warn that the consequences could be long-lasting. When abuses go unreported and unchecked, impunity flourishes. Victims are left without recourse, and perpetrators are emboldened. The credibility of international institutions, painstakingly built over decades, is at risk of erosion.
Still, there is hope that Turk’s frank assessment will serve as a wake-up call. The high commissioner’s willingness to speak openly about the challenges facing his office may galvanize renewed support from donors and member states. After all, the stakes could hardly be higher. As Turk put it, the cuts "have extensive ripple effects on international and national efforts to protect human rights."
With the world watching—and millions of lives hanging in the balance—the coming months will test whether the international community is willing to step up and ensure that the UN’s human rights mission survives this crisis. For now, the message from Geneva is clear: survival is not enough. The fight for human rights demands more—much more—than the bare minimum.