By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS UN human rights head Volker Turk on Thursday launched a $500 million funding appeal for 2025 to address a multitude of crises threatening to reverse decades of progress.
The appeal is to support critical human rights efforts, including rights mainstreaming, advisory services and technical cooperation, alongside field offices of the UN human rights office.
It will boost special trust funds, such as those supporting victims of torture, Indigenous Peoples, or those impacted by slavery.
UN rights chief Volker Türk reiterated the importance of these efforts: “During conflicts and in peacetime; in developing countries and advanced economies; from historic grievances to emerging risks – my Office is holding the line for humanity.
“Human rights are a low-cost, high-impact investment to mobilize people for peace, security, and sustainable development; and to build social cohesion based on the contributions of every individual,” he added.
The appeal is in addition to the OHCHR’s regular budget of $238.5 million as part of UN’s overall budget that was approved in late December 2024. That amount is not sufficient to cover all of its mandated work and the requests for assistance it receives, OHCHR stated.
Mr. Türk underscored the need to ensure OHCHR has sufficient resources to carry out its vital work.
“I am very concerned that if we do not reach our funding targets in 2025, people who should otherwise be free may remain in prison,” he said.
Mr. Volker warned “Women and girls may lose out on opportunities, ignored by the world. Violations and abuses may go undocumented, leading to a lack of accountability and increased impunity. And human rights defenders may lose the little protection they have.”
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