United Nations - The United Nations launched today a request for an additional 253 million dollars to its regular budget of 2017 to fund human rights programs, an unprecedented figure in the organization''s history.

The request for resources was made by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which argued the objective of earmarking money for assistance to countries in the field, supporting special rapporteurs and independent experts, and funding initiatives against torture and contemporary forms of slavery.

It also explained that it would devote part of the requested resources beyond its regular annual budget of 107 million dollars to the defense of vulnerable communities, such as indigenous peoples.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, the request responds to a complex global scenario, marked by conflicts, crises, and behaviors that affect millions of people.

'Our planet has entered a period of profound uncertainty. In many countries, the basic laws are attacked and they call for xenophobia and racial and religious discrimination,' he warned.

Zeid considered that humanity deals with a collective failure to prevent, to minimize the impact or resolve conflicts and wars characterized by brutality and the encouragement of extremist groups.

According to the high commissioner, one of the unprecedented situations that demand more resources is the existence of more than 60 million people displaced from their homes.

'This entire scenario generates alarm, but it does not discourage us, because we are in times of pain, but above all in times of action to promote compassion, stability and inclusive development,' he said.