Funding Battles at the U.N.: China's and Russia’s Strategic Chess Game

A report by the International Service for Human Rights reveals China's and Russia's attempts to block U.N. funding for human rights. The report highlights the 'weaponisation' of the budget process amid U.S. disengagement under Trump, raising concerns about the future of U.N. human rights initiatives.

A new report by the International Service for Human Rights exposes how China and Russia have repeatedly tried to obstruct financial support for human rights at the United Nations. The findings suggest a strategic attempt to weaponize the budget process over the last five years.

While these blockages have not been successful, the report raises alarms about their implications, especially during a financial crisis at the U.N. and amidst U.S. withdrawal under Trump's administration. 'The proposals that China and Russia have introduced are aimed at undermining the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR),' said Angeli Datt, co-author of the report.

China dismissed the report as 'groundless,' emphasizing balanced resource allocation across U.N. pillars. However, others argue that these moves highlight a trend of prioritizing non-interference over human rights, posing a threat to ongoing and future U.N. human rights activities.