Mind blown: Placing the United States on the human rights watchlist reveals shocking joy at Trump administration’s controversial policies. It was a sudden departure for the U.S. in how it is seen on the world stage as a defender of human rights. Experts, human rights groups, and leaders abroad have cited a number of actions taken during Donald Trump’s presidency that they say have weakened fundamental freedoms and violated standards of international law. With attention turned to the U.S. as its decisions come under intense scrutiny at home and abroad, the consequences from these decisions continue to ripple.
The Trump Administration and Human Rights: An Affair to Forget
The inclusion of the US on the ‘watchlist’ comes in the wake of numerous actions taken by the Trump administration during its four-year term, which drew heavy criticism. And while the United States has historically championed international human rights, the policies Donald Trump enacted alarmed many observers concerned about the country’s commitment to protecting democratic ideals. Here’s a closer look at the main issues that have propelled this unprecedented inclusion on the watchlist.
A Violation of Human Dignity: Family Separation at the Border
One of the most sweeping and controversial actions of the Trump administration was the “zero tolerance” immigration policy that led to the separation of families at the U.S.-Mexico border. As part of this policy, children were separated from thousands of their parents and sent into trafficking facilities, creating international outrage. Human rights organizations like the A.C.L.U and Amnesty International described the policy as a violation of children’s rights, saying it violated international human rights laws meant to uphold family integrity.
Despite the uproar or other public challenges to the migration policy, it did not stop until it became apparent that the damage to the children and parents was irreversible. The emotional and mental burden of being separated impacted entire families, and the poor state of the detention centers only exacerbated the issue, leading to unanimous condemnation by international human rights watchdogs.
The U.S. Abandonment of Major Human Rights Agreements
Trump’s choices to withdraw the United States from major international human rights treaties and skirmish with major international human rights organizations, like the United Nations Human Rights Council, also further isolated the United States from its international allies and human rights advocates. In 2018, the United States extricated itself from the United Nations Human Rights Council, alleging that the body was biased against Israel and had not undertaken needed reforms. This withdrawal was widely viewed as a step back from the U.S.’s commitment to international human rights work.
The Trump administration also dealt international human rights a blow when, in 2017, it withdrew the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement. And climate change disproportionately harms vulnerable groups like indigenous communities, the impoverished, and refugees. Critics said the U.S. withdrawal not only reversed two decades of progress toward saving the earth but also violated the rights of those who bore the brunt of climate change.
Racial Injustice and Police Violence
The most notable was racism and police brutality, which were among the biggest issues that sparked mass protests during Trump’s administration. The murder of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer in 2020 became a symbolic flashpoint for the Black Lives Matter movement, which sought to end structural racism within law enforcement.
Instead of rising to the challenge of calls for reform, the Trump administration responded with a hard-line response by sending federal agents into cities where protests were underway, frequently using force to crack down on protesters. “The militarization of the police and the excessive use of force was heavily criticized in the U.S. and internationally, with observers noting that the response violated the right of peaceful assembly,” the report added.
While Trump insisted that the protests represented domestic terrorism, many human rights organizations denounced what they characterized as heavy-handed tactics as a direct assault against the right to protest, which had been a fundamental right in our democracy, to criticize injustice and call for change.
Attacks on LGBTQ+ Rights
The Trump administration was heavily criticized for the way it treated LGBTQ+ individuals as well. In the end, Trump dismantled several protections for the LGBTQ+ community, from the ban on transgender individuals serving in the military and the weakening of protections for LGBTQ+ permitting people to be discriminated against in healthcare, housing, and employment.
Trump’s rescinding of these protections was a major backward step in the campaign for LGBTQ+ rights. Groups like the Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD said these actions conveyed that the U.S. government was not interested in the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and separated the nation further from global human rights norms.
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The Trump administration also put in place strict measures designed to cut the number of refugees and asylum seekers coming to the United States. Through initiatives like the travel bans affecting mostly Muslim countries and the so-called “Remain in Mexico” policy, the administration drastically reduced the ability of vulnerable people to find safety in the U.S..
The handling of asylum seekers, especially those at the southern border, faced intense scrutiny. Details of detention centers packed beyond capacity, lack of access to basic needs like soap and water, inadequate healthcare reinvigorated fears that the U.S. was failing its legal duties under international law to protect refugees and asylum seekers.
What Is the Global Community Saying: International Reactions
Be particularly aware that people around the world are reacting strongly to America’s presence on the human rights watchlist. Countries with a tradition of human rights advocacy, such as Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom, have criticized the U.S. for its retreat from global human rights and how it treats vulnerable populations within its borders.
Supporters of Trump’s hawkish policies, conversely, have contended that many of his actions were undertaken in the name of protecting U.S. national interests and American citizens’ safety. They cite the strong performance of the U.S. economy under Trump and argue that policies like the travel ban and restrictions on immigrants were needed to combat terrorism and illegal immigration.
But international human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the United Nations, have urged the U.S. to restore its commitment to rules-of-the-road for global human rights. They contend this action by the Trump administration is a major blow in the worldwide struggle for equality and justice.
Restoring American Leadership on Human Rights: The Biden Administration Plan
After President Joe Biden took office there was a significant push to undo some of the most contentious policies of the Trump era. This was followed by actions from Biden, rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations Human Rights Council.
He has also made moves to combat systemic racism, launching police reform efforts and backing legislation meant to safeguard voting rights. However, challenges remain. The Biden administration has received criticism for how it approached the Afghanistan withdrawal, which many see as compromising the rights of Afghan-led citizens, women in particular and minority groups.
Rebuilding the image of U.S. leadership on human rights will not be simple or swift. Advocates say, however, that with symbolic gestures, however, it will require real, lasting reforms to make sure the U.S. honors its principles of liberty, justice, and equality for all.
Conclusion: What’s Next for the U.S.?
A wake-up call: the U.S. being placed on the human rights watchlist reminds us why we must protect fundamental freedoms — at home and abroad. While the policies of the Trump administration were a significant factor in this turn of events, the road to restoring the human rights leadership of the U.S. will require cooperation, honesty, and a renewed commitment to justice.
As the international community grapples with the U.S.’s record on human rights, it is clear that accountability must be a key component of future policy decisions. The only way the U.S. can reclaim its status as a human rights champion among nations of the world is through genuine reforms.
FAQs
1. Why was the U.S. included in the human rights watchlist?
The U.S. was on the human rights watchlist due to multiple controversial decisions of the Trump administration, including separating families, backtracking on international agreements, racial injustice, and limiting LGBTQ+ rights.
2. How did the Trump administration respond to protests against police brutality?
The Trump administration rushed to respond to protests by sending federal agents and using excessive force to quell demonstrations, specifically those tied to the Black Lives Matter movement. This raised questions about the right to peaceful assembly.
3. What does it mean that the U.S. has exited international agreements?
The U.S. pulled out of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Paris Climate Agreement, and other international human rights frameworks, creating widespread perceptions of retreat from global human rights leadership and the U.S. violation of its own commitments to international norms.
4. What has the Biden administration done in response to human rights concerns?
President Biden has reentered important international pacts — the Paris Climate Agreement and the United Nations Human Rights Council — and espoused domestic policies meant to mitigate systemic racism and advance equity.
5. What are the obstacles to restoring the U.S.’s role as a leader on human rights?
When it comes to tackling systemic challenges, such as police brutality, voting rights, and immigration reform, the U.S. has some work to do. It will take systemic change and accountability for China to reclaim its status as a global human rights leader.
