The U.N. human rights office announced it must terminate five projects funded by the U.S., including vital assistance for Iraq torture victims. This comes as President Trump implements substantial cuts to foreign aid programs. The U.N. emphasized the necessity of maintaining human rights investments to prevent conflicts.
On Tuesday, the United Nations human rights office announced that it received termination notices from the U.S. government for five of its projects. This decision has led to the suspension of several programs, including crucial assistance for torture victims in Iraq. U.S. President Donald Trump is implementing substantial cuts to foreign aid as part of a broader budget restructuring, the implications of which are becoming increasingly evident globally.
Ravina Shamdasani, the spokesperson for the U.N. human rights office, indicated that the termination notices affect projects in Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Ukraine, Colombia, and a fund designated for indigenous communities. These initiatives were previously funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department. She explained, “There are some countries where we will have to cut back on some of our work, including Colombia, including Iraq…”
The U.N. human rights office operates worldwide, documenting abuses and supporting individuals subjected to illegal detention while safeguarding human rights defenders. The specific Iraq program, designed to assist torture victims and families of the missing, will cease entirely, as confirmed by Shamdasani.
Historically, the United States was the largest donor to the U.N. human rights office, contributing nearly 14% of its budget in the previous year alongside required U.N. fees. Shamdasani emphasized the importance of maintaining and enhancing investments in human rights, stating that such efforts assist in crisis prevention and conflict resolution. High Commissioner Volker Turk has urged all nations to increase their commitment to human rights funding during this time of transition.
The U.N. human rights office has been forced to terminate several key programs due to funding cuts from the U.S. government, particularly impacting assistance for torture victims in Iraq. This shift reflects the broader reallocation of foreign aid under President Trump’s administration. Increased investment in human rights is crucial for conflict prevention, as emphasized by U.N. officials, and calls for support from global partners remain vital during this challenging phase.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
