World Leaders Urged to Defend Human Rights at UN Assembly
World leaders gathering for the United Nations General Assembly in New York from 22 to 28 September 2026 are called to stand firm against efforts to undermine international human rights, according to Human Rights Watch. They are encouraged to counter initiatives that threaten accountability for serious international crimes and the operations of the UN and other critical global institutions.
Leaders and foreign ministers from the UN’s 193 member states will participate in the assembly’s general debate. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is expected to give the opening speech on 22 September, followed by US President Donald Trump, with additional addresses from the leaders of Türkiye, France, the United Kingdom, and Japan.
Louis Charbonneau, UN director at Human Rights Watch, expressed concern that “the UN and other organisations established to protect human rights are under threat from countries supposed to defend them.” He called for all member states to condemn attempts by the US, Russia, China, and others to dismantle the international human rights framework, undermining accountability for abuses.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will again participate virtually, having been denied a visa to attend in person for the second year running. Key issues likely on leaders’ agendas include the global repercussions of the US and Israel’s conflict with Iran, ongoing abuses by Israeli forces against Palestinians in Gaza, and violations of international law by Russia in Ukraine.
Leaders should also focus on ongoing atrocities in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Haiti, and Afghanistan, striving for justice and accountability globally. Human Rights Watch is advocating for a coalition of nations committed to upholding human rights to oppose efforts by the US and other powers to weaken international law.
The US has recently initiated a campaign to “dismantle” the International Criminal Court, amid efforts to shield US and Israeli officials from scrutiny. In 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza.
The US’s campaign, which involves punitive sanctions against ICC officials and Palestinian human rights groups, threatens access to justice for victims worldwide. Investigations by the ICC relate to serious crimes in Myanmar, Sudan, Afghanistan, the Philippines, and Ukraine. Arrest warrants have also been issued for Russian President Vladimir Putin for his actions in Ukraine.
Human Rights Watch urges world leaders to express support for the ICC during the Assembly and to take steps to counter the impact of US attacks on justice. Alongside other human rights organisations, it has taken legal action against the Trump administration regarding its sanctions on the ICC.
UN member states should reject attempts by some governments to undermine the rights of refugees, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals, and uphold existing protections for equality. There is also a pressing need for adequate resourcing of the UN’s human rights work, which has been compromised by the US’s failure to meet its financial commitments.
As discussions around the next UN secretary-general commence, the upcoming leader must prioritise human rights and enhance peacekeeping efforts to protect civilian populations while ensuring governments fulfil their financial obligations to the UN.
Countries are also set to negotiate a new treaty to address crimes against humanity, including murder and torture. Charbonneau remarked, “World leaders need to use the UN platform to vocally oppose efforts by major powers to undermine human rights and facilitate impunity for atrocities.” The international human rights system can only endure if governments take decisive action in its defence.
