Overview
- An ISHR analysis says China and Russia led repeated closed-door bids since 2019 to cut or block resources for UN human rights work and specific country probes.
- UN liquidity has tightened as the United States owes about $1.5 billion in assessed dues as of Sept. 30 and China has paid dues very late, worsening cash flow problems.
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ UN80 reform package includes a proposed 15% across-the-board cut for 2026, which advocates warn would disproportionately hit the underfunded rights pillar.
- Funding shortages have already delayed a Human Rights Council war-crimes investigation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and OHCHR reports a $67 million gap after receiving only 73% of 2025 contributions.
- Officials caution that specialist teams could be eliminated and staff slashed, with the Myanmar investigative mechanism warning it could lose 27 posts, about one third of its workforce.