Attacks against human right defenders have reached record levels over the past year, according to a new report issued on Wednesday by the UN human rights office, OHCHR.
Preliminary data indicates that around 950 human rights defenders, journalists and trade unionists were killed or forcibly disappeared worldwide in 2025, more than double the number a decade ago.
These and other alarming trends are highlighted in 'Human Rights Count 2026', OHCHR's latest global dataset documenting attacks on defenders, civilian deaths in conflicts, patterns of discrimination worldwide and the state of institutions tasked with protecting universal human rights.
Every 10 hours, a human rights defender, journalist or trade unionist is killed or disappeared in some part of the world, the report says.
It notes that every hour, a child dies in armed conflict.
One in five people have experienced discrimination in the past year, according to the UN report.
Violence against human rights defenders has reached record levels, with at least 5,995 killed since 2015.
Working towards bolstering the UN's work around the world, the Economic and Social Council began on Wednesday its annual three-day-long humanitarian affairs segment, where Member States, the UN system, partners and the private sector gathered to discuss challenges and opportunities ahead.
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Political News
June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.