Civil Society Letter on the UN80 Process: Proposals for Strengthening the UN Human Rights Pillar

In International Advocacy Program

H.E. Mr. António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General

H.E. Mr. Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

On 12 March 2025, the Secretary-General launched the UN80 Initiative that aims to update the UN’s structures, priorities, and operations for the 21st century. This process is taking place against a backdrop of escalating conflicts, rising authoritarianism, climate breakdown and deepening inequality, as well as an undermining of international law.

Meanwhile, the UN is in crisis. The UN member States often fail to enforce their decisions, ignore human rights obligations, and turn a blind eye to the global expansion of authoritarianism. In addition, member States face a credibility crisis as a result of their repeated double standards and selectivity, and failure to take action to prevent atrocity crimes. The Security Council is too often paralysed by the veto powers. The UN also faces a financial crisis, as a result of the failure of some member states to pay their assessed UN contributions in full and on time.

At this pivotal moment, the UN must urgently recommit to its founding promise: to uphold the dignity and rights of all. A reformed and revitalised human rights pillar that is principled, consistent and accountable is not a luxury—it is a necessity.

The UN80 Initiative has been presented as an opportunity to strengthen the UN system and better deliver for all stakeholders, particularly those most marginalised and vulnerable. In practice it has, however, focused on efficiency, rationalisation and trimming spending. In addition, the process has: 1) lacked transparency, 2) provided limited opportunities for meaningful and effective civil society engagement, and 3) followed a very restrictive timeline.

As real as the financial crisis might be, the deliberations around the UN80 Initiative must ensure that decisions for reform are in line with the expectations, needs and demands of civil society, human rights defenders, victims and survivors. In considering efficiency and cost-cutting, they should also improve the effectiveness, reach and responsiveness of UN human rights mechanisms.

It is essential that the UN leadership avoid across-the-board, one-size-fits-all spending cuts. It should prioritise UN activities that save lives, including human rights work. While some activities can be reduced or cut, others may need to be expanded to better deal with the challenges we face in the 21st century.

Strengthening civil society engagement with the UN system as a whole is more important than ever. Many critical UN functions rely on civil society information, analysis and supporting activities to operate effectively. The most cost effective approach to improve global governance is to strengthen the ability of civil society to provide such support and information – underpinned with expertise, ground-level context and at little to no cost to the UN itself.

We call on the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights to make all proposals transparent and public. Civil society needs to understand the measures proposed and be given a seat at the decision-making table.

Attached to this letter you will find:

  • A set of principles that should underpin any reform
  • A set of criteria that should guide any decision-making
  • A list of the recommended reforms that, in our view, strengthen the UN human rights
  • A summary of the views of human rights defenders working at the international, regional and national level at the UN and the needed reforms (collected by the International Service for Human Rights through an online survey between 3 June and 16 July).

UN80 must be a turning point that strengthens the UN’s capacity to ensure that human rights are not sidelined, but centered, in global governance. Reforms must ensure unwavering commitment to the peoples the UN was created to serve.

Sincerely,

  1. Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
  2. Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)
  3. Centre for Civil and Political Rights (CCPR Centre)
  4. Center for Reproductive Rights
  5. Child Rights Connect
  6. CIVICUS
  7. Earthjustice
  8. Franciscans International
  9. Geneva for Human Rights
  10. Human Rights Watch
  11. International Service for Human Rights (ISHR)
  12. International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA World)
  13. International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
  14. International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)
  15. Plan International
  16. Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI)
  17. World Organisation against Torture (OMCT)

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