Headlines
Human rights are under assault, says UN Secretary General
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 23, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 23, 2026
Quick Summary
At the Human Rights Council in Geneva, UN chief António Guterres warned that human rights and international law are being sidelined amid wars in Sudan, Gaza and Ukraine. He cited a funding crunch as the UN rights office moves into survival mode.
UN Chief Warns of Global Assault on Human Rights at Geneva Forum
By Olivia Le Poidevin
Guterres’ Warning and UN Funding Strains
GENEVA, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Human rights are under assault worldwide, the United Nations chief warned on Monday, citing widespread abuses of international law and devastating civilian suffering in conflicts in Sudan, Gaza, and Ukraine.
Rule of Law vs. Rule of Force
"The rule of law is being outmuscled by the rule of force," said U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres, speaking at the opening of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Human Rights Protections Pushed Back
Human rights are being pushed back deliberately, Guterres said, urging member states not to view international human rights as a menu to pick from.
UN Human Rights System in 'Survival Mode'
Guterres strongly defended the U.N. human rights system which is in "survival mode" because of funding cuts, attacks on some of its experts and the United States' withdrawal from one of its key universal rights accountability mechanisms .
Humanitarian Needs Outpace Resources
"Humanitarian needs are exploding while funding collapses," he said.
Budget Crunch and Donor Pullbacks
The U.N. human rights office, like other parts of the organisation, faces a budget crunch following the decision to cut funding by the United States - the top donor to the U.N. - as well as other governments.
U.S. Partial Payment and Arrears
Washington in February paid about $160 million of the more than $4 billion it owes to the U.N., a United Nations spokesperson said on Thursday.
(Reporting by Olivia Le PoidevinEditing by Ludwig Burger)
Key Takeaways
- •António Guterres warns that human rights and international law are being sidelined globally.
- •Conflicts in Sudan, Gaza and Ukraine highlight escalating civilian suffering.
- •He urges states not to treat international human rights as an à la carte menu.
- •UN rights office says it is in survival mode following major funding cuts.
- •U.S. arrears and broader donor shortfalls deepen the UN’s budget crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions about Human rights are under assault, says UN Secretary General
1What is the main topic?
UN Secretary‑General António Guterres warns that human rights are under assault worldwide and that international law is being ignored amid ongoing conflicts.
2What specific crises are referenced?
The statement cites civilian suffering in Sudan, Gaza and Ukraine as emblematic of widening abuses and disregard for the rules of war.
3Why is UN funding highlighted?
The UN rights system is described as in survival mode after donor cutbacks and U.S. arrears, raising concerns about the UN’s ability to monitor abuses and respond effectively.
