US Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino (C) walks through a department store in St. Paul, Minnesota, June 16, 2026.
A Venezuelan migrant sits inside a cell at CECOT prison in Tecoluca, El Salvador, June 16, 2026.
The global human rights system is in peril. Under relentless pressure from US President Donald Trump, and persistently undermined by China and Russia, the rules-based international order is being crushed, threatening to take with it the architecture human rights defenders have come to rely on to advance norms and protect freedoms. To defy this trend, governments that still value human rights, alongside social movements, civil society, and international institutions, need to form a strategic alliance to push back.
To be fair, the downward spiral predated Trump’s reelection. The democratic wave that began over 50 years ago has given way to what scholars term a “democratic recession.” Democracy is now back to 1985 levels according to some metrics, with 72 percent of the world’s population now living under autocracy. Russia and China are less free today than 20 years ago. And so is the United States.
Of course, democracy is not a panacea for human rights violations; the US and other longtime democracies have their own histories of colonial crimes, racism, abusive justice systems, and wartime atrocities. More recently, authoritarian leaders have exploited public mistrust and anger to win elections and then dismantled the very institutions that brought them to power. Democratic institutions are crucial to represent the will of the people and keep power in check. It’s no surprise that whenever democracy is undermined, rights are too, as evident in recent years in India, Türkiye, the Philippines, El Salvador, and Hungary.
FIRST: The Momentum Movement’s parliamentary representative David Bedo and independent member of parliament Akos Hadhazy protest against a law that bans Pride marches in Hungary and imposes fines on organizers and attendees of such events, Budapest, June 16, 2026. © 2025 Marton Monus/Reuters; SECOND: University students confront riot police in Istanbul’s Beşiktaş district following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, June 16, 2026. © 2025 Ozan Köse/AFP via Getty Images
In this context, 2025 may be seen as a tipping point. In just 12 months, the Trump administration has carried out a broad assault on key pillars of US democracy and the global rules-based order, which the US, despite inconsistencies, was, with other states, instrumental in helping to establish.
In short order, Trump’s second-term administration has undermined trust in the sanctity of elections, reduced government accountability, gutted food assistance and healthcare subsidies, attacked judicial independence, defied court orders, rolled back women’s rights, obstructed access to abortion care, undermined remedies for racial harm, terminated programs mandating accessibility for people with disabilities, punished free speech, stripped protections from trans and intersex people, eroded privacy, and used government power to intimidate political opponents, the media, law firms, universities, civil society, and even comedians.
Claiming a risk of “civilizational erasure” in Europe and leaning on racist tropes to cast entire populations as unwelcome in the US, the Trump administration has embraced policies and rhetoric that align with white nationalist ideology. Immigrants and asylum seekers have been subjected to inhumane conditions and degrading treatment; 32 died in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody in 2025, and as of mid-January 2026, an additional 4 have died. Masked immigration enforcement agents have targeted people of color, using excessive force, terrorizing communities, wrongfully arresting scores of citizens, and, most recently, unjustifiably killing two people in Minneapolis, whose deaths Human Rights Watch has documented.
The US president of course has the authority to tighten US borders and enforce stricter immigration policies. The administration is not, however, entitled to deny legal process to asylum seekers, mistreat undocumented migrants, or unlawfully discriminate. In a well-functioning democracy, no electoral mandate should supersede domestic legislation, constitutional protections, or international human rights law. Trump’s team has repeatedly bypassed these guardrails.
The violations have not stopped at the border. The Trump administration used a 1798 law to send hundreds of Venezuelan migrants to an infamous prison in El Salvador, where they were tortured and sexually abused. Its blatantly unlawful strikes on boats in the Caribbean and the Pacific extrajudicially killed more than 120 people whom Trump claims were drug traffickers.
US Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino (C) walks through a department store in St. Paul, Minnesota, June 16, 2026.
A Venezuelan migrant sits inside a cell at CECOT prison in Tecoluca, El Salvador, June 16, 2026.
After the US attacked Venezuela and apprehended its president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores, Trump claimed the US would “run” the country and control its vast oil reserves. Despite paying lip service to human rights concerns under Maduro at the United Nations, Trump has worked with the same repressive apparatus to further US interests. Many Western allies have chosen to stay silent about these lawless moves, perhaps fearing erratic tariffs and blowback to their alliances.
Trump’s foreign policy has upended the foundations of the rules-based order that seeks to advance democracy and human rights, even if imperfectly.
Trump has boasted that he doesn’t “need international law” as a constraint, only his “own morality.” His administration has politicized the US State Department’s annual human rights report, stepped away from the global prohibition on antipersonnel landmines, voiced support for rewriting international rules on asylum, and skipped the UN’s Universal Periodic Review of the US’ human rights record.
His administration withdrew from the UN Human Rights Council and the World Health Organization and plans to quit 66 international organizations and programs that it describes as part of an “outdated model of multilateralism,” including key forums for climate negotiations. It has eviscerated US aid programs that provided a lifeline to children, older people and those needing health care, LGBT people, women, and human rights defenders, and withheld most of its UN dues.
Trump has also emboldened autocrats and undermined democratic allies. While admonishing some elected Western European leaders, he and senior officials have expressed admiration for Europe’s nativist far right. He has favored autocrats such as Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, while continuing decades of US support to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
His administration has unjustifiably imposed sanctions to punish respected Palestinian human rights organizations, the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) prosecutor and many of its judges, a UN special rapporteur, and for several months, a Brazilian Supreme Court judge and his wife.
The institutional response in the US to Trump’s power grabs has been shockingly muted. Much of Congress, controlled by his own party, has not challenged his supercharged expansion of executive power. The leaders of the US’ most powerful technology companies have made significant donations and sought to placate the president. Some big law firms and prestigious universities have made deals rather than assert their independence, and some media organizations seem afraid to attract the president’s ire.
Has the US switched sides on the human rights playing field? While US engagement with human rights institutions has always been selective, China and Russia have long pursued an illiberal agenda. They stand much to gain from a US government that now expresses open hostility to universal rights. China and Russia remain strategic rivals of the US, but all three countries are now led by leaders who share open disdain for norms and institutions that could constrain their power.
Police detain an activist outside the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, before lawmakers approved a bill that punishes online searches for information that is deemed “extremist,” in Moscow, June 16, 2026.
Together, they wield considerable economic, military, and diplomatic power. If they were to consistently act as allies of convenience to erode global rules, they could threaten the entire system. Already, a loose international network of countries such as North Korea, Iran, Venezuela, Myanmar, Cuba, and Belarus work in concert with Russia and China. These leaders share very little ideologically but align in undermining human rights and promoting a regressive international agenda. In word and in practice, the US government is now helping them in this endeavor.
FIRST: Surveillance cameras installed in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, June 16, 2026. © 2025 Kyodo News via Getty Images; SECOND: A television in a restaurant in Hong Kong shows a missile being launched during military exercises being held by China around the island of Taiwan, June 16, 2026. © 2022 Isaac Lawrence/AFP via Getty Images
The US’ weakening of multilateral institutions also dealt a serious blow to global efforts to prevent or stop grave international crimes. The “never again” movement, born from the horrors of the Holocaust and reignited by the Rwandan and Bosnian genocides, spurred the UN General Assembly to embrace the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) in 2005. Meant to guide international intervention to prevent and stop atrocities in tandem with efforts to prosecute and punish serious crimes, R2P made a real difference in places like the Central African Republic and Kenya.
Today, R2P is rarely invoked and the ICC is under siege. In addition to Trump’s far-reaching sanctions, in December 2025 a Moscow court sentenced the ICC prosecutor and eight of its judges to prison terms in absentia. Moreover, despite being ICC fugitives, in 2025, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin was welcomed by Donald Trump in Alaska, and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to Hungary, an ICC member state at the time, at Orban’s invitation.
Twenty years ago, the US government and civil society were instrumental in galvanizing a response to mass atrocities in Darfur. Sudan is burning again, but this time under Trump, with relative impunity. Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which emerged from the militias that led the prior ethnic cleansing campaign, are again committing murder and rape on a mass scale. A growing body of evidence indicates that the UAE, a longtime US ally that recently made multi-billion-dollar deals with Trump, is providing the RSF with military support.
A former bus station turned into internally displaced person settlement in Gedaref, Sudan, June 16, 2026.
In the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the Israeli armed forces have committed acts of genocide, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity, killing over 70,000 people since the October 2023 Hamas-led attacks on Israel and displacing the vast majority of Gaza’s population. These crimes were met with uneven global condemnation and not nearly enough action. Some countries halted or temporarily paused weapons sales to Israel in response or sanctioned Israeli ministers. Trump, however, continued a long-standing US policy of almost unconditional support to Israel, even as the International Court of Justice is weighing allegations of genocide and has issued binding orders under the Genocide Convention to protect Palestinians’ rights.
Trump announced in February an alarming US plan to transform Gaza into a “Riviera of the Middle East” free of Palestinians, which would be tantamount to ethnic cleansing. As implementation of the 20-point Trump peace plan has stalled, the administration has further normalized the dispossession of Palestinians through its failure to publicly protest Israel’s regular killing of those approaching the “yellow line” that now divides Gaza, its ongoing demolition of Palestinian homes, and unlawful restrictions on humanitarian aid.
FIRST: A Palestinian girl stands amidst rubble in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, June 16, 2026. © 2025 Bashar Taleb/AFP via Getty Images; SECOND: Palestinians inspect a house demolished by Israeli military forces in the town of Qabatiya in the Israeli occupied West Bank, June 16, 2026. © 2025 Nasser Ishtayeh/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
In Ukraine, Trump’s peace efforts have consistently downplayed Russia’s responsibility for serious violations. These include indiscriminate bombing, coercing Ukrainians in occupied areas to serve in the Russian military, systematic torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war, the abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia, and the use of quadcopter drones to hunt and kill civilians. Rather than applying meaningful pressure on Putin to end these crimes, Trump publicly berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a made-for-TV dressing down, demanded an exploitative mineral deal, pressured Ukraine’s authorities to concede large swaths of territory, and proposed “full amnesty” for war crimes.
The message is clear: in Trump’s new world disorder, might makes right and atrocities are not dealbreakers.
A man stands in the courtyard of his house following a Russian strike on the outskirts of Odesa, Ukraine, June 16, 2026.
토픽 블라블라 팔로우 32살 모솔 아다친구 놀렸다 한국투자증권 상 2023. 해본적 있다했는데 여자친구는 한번도 안해봤다네 둘 다 24살임 안해봤단 얘기듣고 좀 당황함 해봤는데 안해봤다고 거짓말 할 수도있는데 그럼 오히려 다행인데 금방이니까 근데 시볼 한번도안해봤으면 하기까지 얼마나 오래걸릴지 속터지겠지. 15 너먹보 28 93 155네토남친 때문에 타락한 여자친구 3155 5,471자 네토꿀벌 6478 49. 500일 사귄 여친의 아다를 뺏긴 디씨남의 복수jpg.
해본적 있다했는데 여자친구는 한번도 안해봤다네 둘 다 24살임 안해봤단 얘기듣고 좀 당황함 해봤는데 안해봤다고 거짓말 할 수도있는데 그럼 오히려 다행인데 금방이니까 근데 시볼 한번도안해봤으면 하기까지 얼마나 오래걸릴지 속터지겠지. 토픽 블라블라 팔로우 32살 모솔 아다친구 놀렸다 한국투자증권 상 2023. 블라인드 결혼생활 혼전순결 아다 고민. 500일 사귄 여친의 아다를 뺏긴 디씨남의 복수jpg, 토픽 블라블라 팔로우 32살 모솔 아다친구 놀렸다 한국투자증권 상 2023. 유흥이니까 원나잇이나 쓰레기만날 확률 높다는 어쩌고, 다양하고 자유로운 커뮤니티 아카라이브. 26 2234 좆같은결말이네 댓글 쓰기. 의외로 모쏠아다가 여자친구 사귀면 해야할 행동. 그 마지노선이 사회 초년생 소개팅 해줄 대학생 후배 있을때이라고 생각한다. Discover more posts about 이슈짤, img짤, and 여자친구, 26 1616 좀이따볼것 누에보메스타야 2018, 첫경험이었는데 너무 아팠고 조루인지 넣자마자 바로 바닥에 사정함. 형들 여자친구가 아다가 아니면 자유게시판. 흥미돋모쏠아다를 위한 여자 따먹기 특강. 15 너먹보 28 93 155네토남친 때문에 타락한 여자친구 3155 5,471자 네토꿀벌 6478 49, 그 마지노선이 사회 초년생 소개팅 해줄 대학생 후배 있을때이라고 생각한다, 혹시 첫 경험을 이제해서 늦바람이 무섭다고 성매매까지 할까봐 무서웠는데 오히려 여자친구랑 같이 있고 손잡고있어도 행복하다.ㅇㅊsk 겨드랑이 제모 하고 안하고가 아니라 20대초에 남친이랑 첫관계 하는날 겨드랑이 빨라고 내주는 여자 퍼센티지가 아주 낮다는 겁니다. 난 여지껏 1년넘게 연애해본 사람이 3명이있다. An__ on janu 스카프명품스카프스카프추천샤넬스카프스카프패션ㅓ샤넬스카프코디스카프빕여자코디선물선물추천여자친구선물일상코디봄코디. 아그네스는 젊은 여자였을 때 남편이랑 40년 전에 결혼했고, 아다는 막내였으니까 그때 십 대였겠네, 제 여자친구와 첫 관계를 가졌는데, 아다 처녀막이 너무 두꺼워서 어려움을 겪었어요.
둘다 자취생이고 여자친구가 너무 나 좋아해서 사귄지. 두번째는 차 뒷자석에서 키스하다 갑자기 섹스시도. 26 2019 소꿉친구 아다 ㅇㄷ 리즈유나이티드0 2018. 제 여자친구와 첫 관계를 가졌는데, 아다 처녀막이 너무 두꺼워서 어려움을 겪었어요.
이성친구 아다도 때주고 찐우정이네 ㅋㅋㅋ 남녀친구 있긴있노 진짜 서양이나 일본에서는 연인도 아니고 친구끼리 저리해도 쿨하게 넘어가나. 95 99네토남친 때문에 타락한 여자친구 5 제주도 게스트하우스99 7,066자 네토꿀벌 5327 48 01, 원래 나이가 먹을수록 더 좋은 사람을 만나는데 반대로 더 좋은사람은 경험이 있을 가능성이 높아지지.
Net489793613 나 아다인데 만약에 여친 사귀면 처음이라고 해야할지 아니면 그냥 조용히 있어야할지 모르겠음 알려줄 여붕이 있냐, 여자친구도 많이 아파했고 저도 당황스러웠습니다, 원래 나이가 먹을수록 더 좋은 사람을 만나는데 반대로 더 좋은사람은 경험이 있을 가능성이 높아지지, 근데 고딩때 남자,여자애들 대부분이 자기는 해봤다면서 자랑하는애들 투성이였어서 대학가면 2학년애들은 물론이고 신입생들도 전부 다 후다일거같애서 걱정임. 둘다 자취생이고 여자친구가 너무 나 좋아해서 사귄지.
| 모쏠아다를 위한 여자 따먹기 특강 악플달면 쩌리쩌려버려. | ㅋㅋㅋ 연인도 아닌 친구와의 하룻밤은 무슨 느낌이려나. | Net489793613 나 아다인데 만약에 여친 사귀면 처음이라고 해야할지 아니면 그냥 조용히 있어야할지 모르겠음 알려줄 여붕이 있냐. |
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| 15 네토꿀벌 48 94 92친누나 에게 아다 떼인썰 7292 5,199자 너먹보 3138 28 01. | 누가봐도 평범한 외모동글동글하게 생기고 좀 못생겼다. | 먼저 난 고등학고 2학년임 지금 여자친구도 동갑이고 얜 올해 여름부터 사귄 남자친구가 있었는데 내가 뺏었어 번호따고 얘기도하고 어쩌다 밥도. |
| 일 시작하면 새로운 친구 만들기 정말 어렵고 시간도 여유도 사라진다. | 이번에도 너무 아팠고 넣자마자 read more. | 한번 나이트 같이 갔다가 그 날 여자친구 만듬 나이트라는 공간 특성상 여자도 마음을 좀 열기도 하고 부킹이라는 시스템이 있기때문에 말이라도 섞어볼 기회가 있으니 거기서 눈맞으면 연애도 가능하지. |
| 여자친구도 많이 아파했고 저도 당황스러웠습니다. | 15 네토꿀벌 48 94 92친누나 에게 아다 떼인썰 7292 5,199자 너먹보 3138 28 01. | 9 이슈 지난주, 약 8년만에 방송무대에 섰던 불후의명곡2 이미자편 이수영 아씨 1 임진모 2020. |
사건개요 20살 여친한테 미팅나갔다가 번호 따이고, 먼저 대쉬받고 고백 받아서 사귀게 됨, 1년만난애,1년반만난애,3년만난애그중 1년만난애는 처녀였는데 걔 길들인 썰 풀어본다, 난 여지껏 1년넘게 연애해본 사람이 3명이있다.
17살 때 생일친구들이 내가 동정인걸 더는 못봐줌걔들이 500달러를 써서 학교에 나랑 떡치라고 췡녀를 불러옴걔들이 나랑 췡녀를 한방에 두고 잠가버림난 그녀를 안고 이렇게 말했지&g. 26 2234 좆같은결말이네 댓글 쓰기. 95 99네토남친 때문에 타락한 여자친구 5 제주도 게스트하우스99 7,066자 네토꿀벌 5327 48 01, 여자입장에서 경험담 솔직히 말할게요 내가 외모 예쁘장하고 슴살초반부터 쭉 남자친구 있어왔는데 그런상황마다 무서워서 결론은 지금 처녀거든, 사랑받는게 이런거구나 연인이 이런거구나 새삼느끼면서 28년 인생 헛산거같음. 일 시작하면 새로운 친구 만들기 정말 어렵고 시간도 여유도 사라진다.
An__ on janu 스카프명품스카프스카프추천샤넬스카프스카프패션ㅓ샤넬스카프코디스카프빕여자코디선물선물추천여자친구선물일상코디봄코디, 남성의 신체를 제외한 물체가 삽입되어 처녀막이 파열된 경우에 해당, 제 3급 아다이다. 475 10 결혼식 사진에서 눈감아서 놀렸는데 32년동안 놀림받다보니 드립의 신이된것같다 직장인 맞춤 db, 블라인드 타로. 처녀막이 파열된 경우에는 무조건 법적 아다에서 제외된다는 점. 26 1616 좀이따볼것 누에보메스타야 2018. Com › tagged › 여자친구여자친구 on tumblr.
모쏠아다를 위한 여자 따먹기 특강 악플달면 쩌리쩌려버려.. 의외로 모쏠아다가 여자친구 사귀면 해야할 행동..
남성의 신체를 제외한 물체가 삽입되어 처녀막이 파열된 경우에 해당, 제 3급 아다이다. 사건개요 20살 여친한테 미팅나갔다가 번호 따이고, 먼저 대쉬받고 고백 받아서 사귀게 됨, 대학생인데 교수가 막연하게 수업중에 있는 사람들한테 지금 ㅇ자리에서 늬들끼리 자만추해서 4명만들고 조별과제 하라했다던데전공수업도 아니고 한지라 아는사람도 없고해서 어쩌다보니 타과 사람들이랑 조가 꾸려졌나봄근데 그중에 체육과인가 한놈이 조별 이야기 끝나고 따로 인스타인가, 500일 사귄 여친의 아다를 뺏긴 디씨남의 복수jpg. 첫경험이었는데 너무 아팠고 조루인지 넣자마자 바로 바닥에 사정함. 20대에 처음 여자친구가 생겨서 아다 때면 생기는 점을 말해준다.
온팬 유미 See a recent post on tumblr from @owlshellaxy about 여자친구. 사건개요 20살 여친한테 미팅나갔다가 번호 따이고, 먼저 대쉬받고 고백 받아서 사귀게 됨. 아그네스는 젊은 여자였을 때 남편이랑 40년 전에 결혼했고, 아다는 막내였으니까 그때 십 대였겠네. 난 여지껏 1년넘게 연애해본 사람이 3명이있다. 첫경험이었는데 너무 아팠고 조루인지 넣자마자 바로 바닥에 사정함. 요루 알몸
오해원 보지 Com › tagged › 여자친구여자친구 on tumblr. 1년만난애,1년반만난애,3년만난애그중 1년만난애는 처녀였는데 걔 길들인 썰 풀어본다. 두번째는 차 뒷자석에서 키스하다 갑자기 섹스시도. 아그네스는 젊은 여자였을 때 남편이랑 40년 전에 결혼했고, 아다는 막내였으니까 그때 십 대였겠네. 형들 여자친구가 아다가 아니면 자유게시판. 오리재이 nude
올라잇임다 디시 아그네스는 젊은 여자였을 때 남편이랑 40년 전에 결혼했고, 아다는 막내였으니까 그때 십 대였겠네. 이번에도 너무 아팠고 넣자마자 read more. 해본적 있다했는데 여자친구는 한번도 안해봤다네 둘 다 24살임 안해봤단 얘기듣고 좀 당황함 해봤는데 안해봤다고 거짓말 할 수도있는데 그럼 오히려 다행인데 금방이니까 근데 시볼 한번도안해봤으면 하기까지 얼마나 오래걸릴지 속터지겠지. 사랑받는게 이런거구나 연인이 이런거구나 새삼느끼면서 28년 인생 헛산거같음. 미성년자 여자친구 과거 성경험 네이버 지식in. 우멍멍 나무위키
왕가슴 의붓동생 두번째는 차 뒷자석에서 키스하다 갑자기 섹스시도. 26 1616 좀이따볼것 누에보메스타야 2018. 나도 5년 이상 사귀었는데 아다 못땠었음 ㅋㅋㅋ ㅅㅂ 시도할때마다 거부하니까 내가 쓰레기된 기분 들고 데이트하고 오면 불알만 존나 아프고 친구들한텐 병신고자소리듣고 ㅋㅋ 지금 여자친구랑 처음 했는데 이 좋은걸 왜 지금까지 못했나 싶더라. An__ on janu 스카프명품스카프스카프추천샤넬스카프스카프패션ㅓ샤넬스카프코디스카프빕여자코디선물선물추천여자친구선물일상코디봄코디. 다양하고 자유로운 커뮤니티 아카라이브.
올데이프로젝트 애니 사주 여자친구야 경험도 많지만 내가 모든게 처음이라니까 실수같은건 참고넘어가줌. 미성년자 여자친구 과거 성경험 네이버 지식in. 여자친구도 많이 아파했고 저도 당황스러웠습니다. 거기다가 남자도 첫경험인데 겨드랑이 빨려고 했다는것까지 겹치니까 주작냄새 난다는거구요. 혹시 첫 경험을 이제해서 늦바람이 무섭다고 성매매까지 할까봐 무서웠는데 오히려 여자친구랑 같이 있고 손잡고있어도 행복하다.
Security personnel stand guard during a curfew imposed after protesters clashed with security forces in Imphal, Manipur, India, on June 16, 2026.
This global coalition of rights-respecting democracies could offer other incentives to counter Trump’s policies that have undermined multilateral trade governance and reciprocal trade agreements that included rights protections. Attractive trade deals, with meaningful rights protections for workers, and security agreements could be conditioned on adhering to democratic governance and human rights norms. Democracy already comes with benefits. While autocracies have generally fostered conflict, economic stagnation, or kleptocracy, as evidenced in multiple academic studies, including the work of the Nobel Prize-winning economist Daron Acemoglu, democratic institutions reliably yield economic growth.
This new rights-based alliance would also be a powerful voting bloc at the UN. It could commit to defending the independence and integrity of UN human rights mechanisms, providing political and financial support, and building coalitions capable of advancing democratic norms, even when opposed by superpowers.
Effectively mobilizing governments to form such an alliance will not happen without strategic engagement from civil society and constituencies inside those countries who can help raise the priority of a rights-based foreign policy. These governments will need to be convinced that they have both an interest and a responsibility to protect the rules-based system.
Projects of this nature are bubbling up. Chile, which had a principled foreign policy focused on rights under President Gabriel Boric, hosted in July 2025 a presidential-level “Democracy Forever” summit, where leaders from Spain, Uruguay, Colombia, and Brazil pledged to engage in “active democratic diplomacy” based on shared values.
The Hague Group, led by Malaysia, South Africa, and Colombia, formed in January 2025 in “defense of international law” and in solidarity with Palestinians. Over 70 countries from all regions signed a joint statement defending multilateralism at the UN. Earlier, in 2017, former Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen set up the Alliance of Democracies Foundation to rally the dwindling ranks of democratic countries to “support each other against authoritarian pressures.”
Whatever its precise contours, an alliance of rights-respecting democracies would offer a hopeful counterpoint to the authoritarian trope of China’s and Russia’s leaders standing alongside North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, observing military hardware in a parade in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in September. If the philosopher Hannah Arendt was right that history is an ongoing struggle between freedom and tyranny, the latter looked confident in 2025.
Yet, even in the worst of times, the idea of freedom and human rights is enduring. People power remains an engine for change. In the US, “No Kings” marches have drawn millions, protesters in Chicago, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and around the country have stood up against the deployment of the National Guard and ICE abuses, and students are still organizing for Palestine on university campuses despite draconian crackdowns and visa revocations.
People gather facing law enforcement after marching through downtown Austin, Texas at the conclusion of the "No Kings Day" demonstration in the US, June 16, 2026.
Buoyed by popular resistance, South Korean parliamentarians impeached their president to prevent him from grabbing power through martial law. Grassroots aid efforts by Sudan’s emergency response rooms, Hong Kong’s fire relief, Sri Lanka’s cyclone relief community kitchens, and Ukrainian mutual aid and solidarity collectives represent the best of this trend.
In 2025, Gen Z protests against corruption, inadequate public services, and poor governance in Nepal, Indonesia, and Morocco brought to the forefront the need for governments to listen to their youth and tackle corruption and inequality. But as the difficulties of restoring rights in Bangladesh after years under an authoritarian government illustrates, gains won through public mobilization can easily be lost unless democratic participation and free expression remain unassailable.
People take part in a youth-led protest against corruption and calling for education and healthcare reforms, in Rabat, Morocco, June 16, 2026.
Demonstrators outside Nepal's Parliament during a protest in Kathmandu condemning social media prohibitions and corruption by the government, June 16, 2026.
In this more hostile world, civil society is more critical than ever. It’s also increasingly endangered, particularly in an environment where funding is scarce. In 2025, Human Rights Watch was labeled “undesirable” and banned from operating in Russia. For partners in Egypt, Hong Kong, and India, these tactics are all too familiar. Restrictions on civil society and protest have become more commonplace in Europe, including the UK and France. And now, for the first time, many worry about risks associated with their operational presence in the US, where the Open Society Foundations, a major donor, have already been threatened, and the administration is preparing a list of “domestic terrorists” under overbroad guidance that could be interpreted to include the work of many progressive groups.
Breaking the authoritarian wave and standing up for human rights is a generational challenge. In 2026, it will play out most acutely in the US, with far-reaching consequences for the rest of the world. Fighting back will require a determined, strategic, and coordinated reaction from voters, civil society, multilateral institutions, and rights-respecting governments around the globe.
한번 나이트 같이 갔다가 그 날 여자친구 만듬 나이트라는 공간 특성상 여자도 마음을 좀 열기도 하고 부킹이라는 시스템이 있기때문에 말이라도 섞어볼 기회가 있으니 거기서 눈맞으면 연애도 가능하지., Human Rights Watch’s 36th annual review of human rights practices and trends around the globe, reviews developments in more than 100 countries.