GENEVA: The United Nations human rights system is at risk of financial collapse and requires sustainable funding to continue its work, according to Sardar Masood Khan, former Ambassador of Pakistan and former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He expressed concern over significant funding cuts that are impairing human rights monitoring and treaty bodies’ functions.

According to President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sardar Masood Khan, during a video discussion organized by the World Muslim Congress, the UN’s financial crisis has reached a critical point. The Secretary-General has cautioned about a potential “race to bankruptcy.” Khan highlighted the drastic reduction in human rights missions, which have fallen from 11,000 to 5,000, as indicative of the system operating in “survival mode.”

Khan emphasized that human rights represent one of the three core pillars of the United Nations, alongside peace, security, and development. However, in 2024, this component received a meager 4.7 percent of the UN’s regular budget. He urged member states, especially major contributors, to reconsider policies that are defunding essential human rights activities.

While advocating for a streamlined and rationalized system, Khan warned against compromising core human rights responsibilities. He called for timely payment of assessed contributions and an accountability mechanism to address non-compliance. Khan also recommended a more balanced approach between regular and voluntary contributions.

He warned that selectivity and partiality in human rights actions, influenced by geostrategic priorities, undermine the system’s credibility. Khan cited Pakistan’s engagement with the Human Rights Council on Jammu and Kashmir, referring to UN Special Rapporteurs’ reports on issues like mass arrests and the Indus Waters Treaty situation.

Khan stressed the universality of human rights and the necessity for institutions to be adequately resourced to fulfill their mandates.