Amnesty International has released a report drawing attention to the decline of human rights worldwide since Donald Trump assumed office, citing a surge in authoritarianism and corporate greed. The report suggests that the Trump administration’s policies have emboldened these regressive trends.
While Amnesty International commended positive instances in international justice, such as the arrest of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, it criticized actions undermining international legal frameworks. A notable concern included sanctions placed by the US against ICC prosecutor Agnès Callamard following the issuance of arrest warrants against Israeli officials.
Key areas of regression under scrutiny include global migration, armed conflicts, climate change impacts, LGBTQ+ rights, and freedoms of speech and protest. The cited actions of the Trump administration, such as continued military support of Israel and the cuts to foreign aid, exemplify policies allegedly exacerbating these issues.
Moreover, domestic policies aimed at restricting immigration and LGBTQ+ rights have further challenged human rights. These include the imprisonment of immigrants without trial and attempts to ban transgender individuals from both obtaining passports and serving in the military.
Amnesty International underscored the necessity of global climate action to mitigate future disasters, indicating that uninhibited global warming will further exacerbate human rights challenges. The organization criticized national governments for inadequate preventative measures against impending climate crises, emphasizing the urgency of comprehensive international cooperation.