Human rights violations are a growing concern globally, as highlighted by the Secretary-General of the United Nations in his address at the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed alarm over the widespread disregard for international law and the severe suffering experienced by civilians in conflicts in regions such as Sudan, Gaza, and Ukraine.
Guterres emphasized that the principle of the rule of law is being overshadowed by the use of force in many instances. He urged member states to uphold international human rights without cherry-picking, as deliberate efforts are being made to roll back these fundamental rights.
The Secretary-General defended the UN human rights system, which he described as being in a critical state due to funding cuts, attacks on experts within the system, and the withdrawal of the United States from a key accountability mechanism for universal rights. He pointed out the escalating humanitarian needs amid dwindling financial support, painting a grim picture of the current situation.
The financial strain on the UN human rights office, stemming from reduced contributions by major donors like the United States, has added to the challenges faced by the organization. The US, a significant contributor to the UN, fell short in meeting its financial obligations, having paid only a fraction of its owed amount in February.
Volker Turk, the UN rights chief, echoed these concerns, noting a troubling resurgence of dominance and supremacy that threatens human rights progress globally. The trend, he warned, poses a significant setback to the advancement of universal rights and principles.