Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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December 10, 2025 Human rights
Human rights are under attack worldwide, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk said on Human Rights Day, celebrated on December 10.
Turk noted that the past year "was difficult" – against the backdrop of declining funding for human rights activities, anti-rights movements are increasingly receiving resources and increasing their influence.
The Energy of Social Movements – Potential for Transformation
According to him, defense industry profits are growing rapidly, while funding for humanitarian aid and civil society organizations is declining. Revenues for the 100 largest defense companies reached a record $679 billion in 2024.
Human rights defenders around the world are attacked, face sanctions and prosecution, while those who order crimes remain unpunished.
Despite these trends, Türk emphasized, in many countries – from Nepal and Serbia to Ecuador, Tanzania, Indonesia, Morocco, and Peru – young people are taking to the streets and engaging in social media activities to protest war, inequality, corruption, and repression.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called on governments to "harness the energy of social movements" as a potential for transformation, rather than suppress them.
“I call on governments around the world to harness the energy of these social movements to create opportunities for broader transformative reforms, rather than rushing to suppress them or label them as extremism and threats to national security,” Turk said.
He said the UN Human Rights Office he leads has lost about $90 million in revenue this year, leading to the loss of 300 jobs and cuts to key programs, including in Colombia, Myanmar, Tunisia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Türk specifically noted the rapid growth of anti-rights and anti-gender movements. These organizations receive funding from donors in Europe, Russia, and the United States. According to the European Forum on Sexual and Reproductive Rights, in Europe alone, they raised nearly $1.2 billion between 2019 and 2023.
Humanitarian consequences of conflicts
Türk paid special attention to the humanitarian consequences of the conflicts. In Gaza, he said, attacks continue, access to essential services remains limited, and the West Bank has seen an unprecedented level of attacks by Israeli forces and settlers.
The situation in Africa also remains grave: in the eastern part of the DR Congo, clashes continue between the army and the Rwandan-backed M23 group, while in Sudan, almost the entire population has been affected by the conflict between the country's armed forces and the Rapid Intervention Forces.
Speaking about Ukraine, Türk said the number of civilian casualties had risen by 24 percent compared to last year due to Russia's intensive use of long-range weapons and continued attempts to seize additional territory.
"Large-scale attacks on Ukraine's energy system have led to emergency and prolonged daily power outages, water supply, and heating interruptions in many areas," Türk said.
"Urgent steps must be taken to alleviate the suffering [of the population], including the return of displaced children, the exchange of prisoners of war and the unconditional release of civilians held by Russian authorities," he added.
In concluding his address, the High Commissioner noted that despite all the difficulties, the global movement in support of human rights remains unabated. He expressed confidence that journalists, human rights defenders, and youth initiatives will continue to make progress.
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