In 2025, approximately 950 human rights defenders, journalists, and trade unionists were reportedly killed or forcibly disappeared worldwide, more than double the number from a decade ago.
These and other alarming trends are highlighted in the UN Human Rights Office’s (OHCHR) latest global dataset, “Human Rights Count 2026.” The report documents attacks against defenders, civilian deaths in conflict, forms of discrimination globally, and the status of institutions tasked with protecting universal human rights.
Key Findings:
- A human rights defender, journalist, or trade unionist is killed or disappears every 10 hours.
- A child dies in armed conflict every hour.
- One in five people experienced discrimination in the past year.
- Violence against human rights defenders reached record levels, with at least 5,995 killed since 2015.
The full report can be read here.
Humanitarian Aid Operations Under Scrutiny
The Economic and Social Council commenced its annual three-day humanitarian segment meeting on Wednesday. Member States, the UN system, partners, and the private sector convened to discuss future challenges and opportunities.
UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher warned in his opening address that humanitarian missions are increasingly becoming contentious. Aid organizations face a growing gap between rising needs and dwindling funds, as well as the disparity between needs and the ability to deliver aid.
The UN aid chief emphasized that respect for international humanitarian law and the protection of aid workers are indispensable for humanitarian operations.
Fletcher urged Member States, conflict parties, donors, development partners, and the private sector to play their roles, stating, “The future of humanitarian action will not be determined by humanitarian actors alone.”
