US, China Miss Payments, UN Human Rights Work at Risk

(New York) – The United Nations General Assembly changed a long-standing rule on June 30, 2026, to help ease the world body’s deepening cash shortage, but severe funding problems remain, Human Rights Watch said. A new report from the group describes how the UN’s money crisis is hurting its global human rights activities. It urges member countries to ensure the UN has the resources it needs to protect human rights and save lives. “The US, China, and other governments that haven’t paid or are late in paying their dues have forced the UN to cut back on critical human rights and humanitarian operations worldwide,” said Louis Charbonneau, UN director at Human Rights Watch. “UN member states should explore new ways to hold delinquent countries accountable for defaulting on their UN financial obligations.” The US and China together owe nearly half of the mandatory payments from member countries. Dozens of other nations also pay late or not at all.