In a significant shift spurred by cuts from the United States, the UN Human Rights Office is set to close several essential programmes, including critical support for torture victims in Iraq. According to Reuters, UN human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani indicated that projects in Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Ukraine, and Colombia are particularly vulnerable. Additionally, a special fund aimed at supporting indigenous peoples will also be impacted by these financial reductions.
Previously, initiatives benefiting these regions were funded through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the US Department of State. “There are some countries where we will have to reduce some of our work, including in Colombia and Iraq, and in other places we are trying to reallocate funding,” Shamdasani noted during a press conference in Geneva.
The cessation of the programme in Iraq, which has long aided torture victims and families of missing persons, will result in its complete shutdown, she revealed, though specific details were not provided. The UN Human Rights Office operates globally, documenting violations, assisting individuals in unlawful detention, and protecting human rights advocates.
Historically, the US has been the largest contributor to the UN Human Rights Office, accounting for nearly 14% of its budget last year along with mandatory UN dues. This change follows a freeze on USAID initiatives imposed on Inauguration Day by US President Donald Trump, which saw agency staff placed on administrative leave.
The UN Human Rights Office will halt several key programmes, particularly for torture victims in Iraq, due to significant funding cuts from the US. Initiatives in Equatorial Guinea, Ukraine, and Colombia are also under threat. The US, which has been a key donor, has drastically reduced its financial support, leading to potential closures and unavailability of crucial aid.
The closure of vital UN human rights programmes due to US funding cuts highlights a concerning shift in international support for human rights advocacy. With the loss of initiatives in multiple countries, including Iraq and Colombia, the overall ability to document violations and assist victims faces severe limitations. This substantial reduction in funding not only affects immediate humanitarian assistance but could also have long-lasting impacts on global human rights efforts.
Original Source: babel.ua
