From 2019 to 2024, the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) conducted dozens of discussions with diplomats and officials and analysed confidential internal documents.

According to the NGO's findings, China is trying to recover the audit of finances linked to the Human Rights Council and is using its seat on the oversight committee to obtain information about the staff of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. In the UN General Assembly's Fifth Committee, it“is the most hostile, followed by Russia”, an NGO official told the press. Its influence has also increased on administrative and budgetary issues.

While Moscow is openly more“disruptive” in these circles, China is discreet, the report adds. The director of the NGO's New York office deplores the fact that“Russian and Chinese diplomats have exploited the UN's budget negotiations” for their own interests and“to protect their allies from any criticism, all to the detriment of human rights”.

This content was published on Sep 16, 2025 As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary, our Inside Geneva podcast asks whether the organisation still matters.