“This election represents a recognition of her longstanding activity and significant contribution in the field of human rights, especially in the prevention of torture and ill-treatment,” the Moldovan Mission in Geneva said.
As Claude Heller noted, the Committee plays an important role in an increasingly complex international situation characterized by growing conflicts, impunity and continuing violations of international humanitarian law. This all adds to the complexity of the Committee’s tasks.
“It is at such historic moments that the Committee must revitalize its work and reaffirm its commitment to its mandate,” said the Head of the Committee.
As noted at the opening of the session, the human rights system is affected by serious financial constraints.
Budget cuts had reduced the work of treaty bodies, delayed country reviews and individual cases, and limited the work of mechanisms such as the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture. In 2025, the Committee was unable to hold a full three-week session in July and lost an additional week of meetings in November, resulting in the postponement of six country reviews and the consideration of 30 individual communications. The UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture has also faced severe funding cuts, forcing cuts to vital support programs.
Uncertainty remains regarding future sessions, including the second session in 2026. The Office continues to call on Member States to increase funding, emphasizing that under-resourced mechanisms risk leaving serious human rights violations unaddressed.
