Report on U.S. Human Rights Criticized for Overlooking Breaches by Ally Nations - Altered Report on US Human Rights: No Violations Charged Against Ally Nations
In a move that has raised concerns among human rights advocates, the 2020 State Department Human Rights Report is said to have downplayed human rights abuses by the United States' allies, such as Israel, Russia, and El Salvador.
According to reports, the sections on human rights violations in these countries are significantly shorter than in previous reports. For instance, the report is claimed to have deleted mentions of LGBTQ+ rights abuses in Russia and references to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s corruption trial and threats to the judiciary. It is also alleged to have falsely claimed no credible significant abuses in El Salvador, despite other reports documenting such issues.
Leaked drafts suggest a deliberate effort to scrub out human rights violations related to LGBTQ+ individuals and to soften descriptions of government abuses in allied nations. This has led to condemnation by Amnesty International.
This selective downplaying seems to fit into a broader pattern of Trump administration rollbacks on human and civil rights both domestically and internationally, including reduced funding and support for rights-based programs and organizations.
However, a State Department official maintains that the United States does not shy away from addressing human rights issues in its allied countries. The focus on censorship in traditional US allies is a departure from the usual focus on human rights violations in authoritarian countries.
The 2020 Human Rights Report, which usually focuses on imprisonment of dissidents, women's rights issues, and extrajudicial killings in authoritarian countries, has not been announced for a release date. Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen has expressed concern that the Trump administration's measures to weaken and politicize the reports undermine their original purpose and damage the credibility of the department itself.
The current report's restructuring and efforts to make it more readable have also been met with criticism. President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador, an ally of Trump, has recently seen numerous migrants from the USA deported to his country without trial. The USA is reportedly having "honest conversations" with partners and allies about the "suppression of voices, whether political or religious".
[1] The Washington Post, "Leaked draft of State Department report shows Trump administration downplaying human rights abuses by allies", link [2] Human Rights Watch, "Trump Administration Cuts Funding for Human Rights Programmes", link [3] Amnesty International, "USA: Trump administration's human rights report downplays abuses by allies", link [4] The Guardian, "Trump administration cuts funding for global human rights programmes", link [5] The New York Times, "Trump Administration Cuts Funding for Human Rights Programs", link
- The EU, with its emphasis on policy and legislation, has voiced its concern over the Trump administration's downplaying of human rights abuses by US allies, as revealed in the 2020 State Department Human Rights Report.
- Given the general news about the report's allegedly selective treatment of human rights violations, particularly in countries like Russia, Israel, and El Salvador, it's crucial for the EU to carefully scrutinize its own policies and ensure they prioritize human rights and justice.
- Amidst the controversy surrounding the 2020 Human Rights Report, the EU must remain vigilant against any form of war-and-conflicts that may arise from the US's relationships with its allies and the potential implications on global human rights.
