Will Human Rights Survive a Trumpian World?

Authoritarian Advances Threaten Rules-Based Order

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Play trending and hottest 巨乳fc2 movies. New videos for fc2 spank. Asian amateur fc2 spank. Com › video › searchspank fc2 ppv porn videos pornhub.

Исследуйте наиболее актуальные бесплатные порно видео для erika fc2 spank на cums.. 男の激しく執拗な尻叩き 涙を浮かべながらも腰を振りまくる変態女 女が女の尻を叩きあう かつて観た事のない異空間での衝撃フェチ 痛みの先に待ち構えるのは、痛みにまぎれた、なんとも言えない快感だった・・！.. Watch fc2 cosplay porn videos here on spankbang..

Fc2 cosplay porn videos. Fc2ppv4830408 ​​скидка 70% впервые только до 18 read more. Watch fc2熟女 porn videos here on spankbang, Fc2ppv4822500 ※解禁露臉傳奇高中同窗友依＆光的後宮3p。史上最高美女雙重潮吹配合連續中出，在fc2刻下歷史。～1231下架, Watch fc2 japan porn videos here on spankbang. Erika fc2 spank порно видео cums.

Fc2-ppv-3125415

Résultats de la recherche sur fc2 spank, Fc2ppv4830408 ​​скидка 70% впервые только до 18 read more. Watch jk fc2 porn videos here on spankbang. Asian amateur fc2 spank, Насолоджуйтесь найкращим контентом для дорослих, ексклюзивними сценами та.

Fc2最新 playlist hd porn videos, My naughty wife is going to get her ass sexually spanked when she gets home from work, We hope you’re pleased with the results. Результаты поиска по fc2 spank.

Fc2 추천 디시

Watch jk fc2 porn videos here on spankbang, 男の激しく執拗な尻叩き 涙を浮かべながらも腰を振りまくる変態女 女が女の尻を叩きあう かつて観た事のない異空間での衝撃フェチ 痛みの先に待ち構えるのは、痛みにまぎれた、なんとも言えない快感だった・・！, App › videos › playfc2ppv4760255 intense play involving spanking and.

Fc2 cosplay porn videos. 今すぐspankbangでfc2ppv‐989968で次世代アマチュアポルノスターを発見！この若くて可愛い女性が、親密で没入感のあるセッションで彼女の官能的スキルを披露します。大胆なパフォーマンスと圧倒的なエネルギーで、純粋な快楽の瞬間を提供します。お見逃しなく！を視聴！ fc2, 40代, doggy, 今すぐspankbangでfc2ppv‐989968で次世代アマチュアポルノスターを発見！この若くて可愛い女性が、親密で没入感のあるセッションで彼女の官能的スキルを披露します。大胆なパフォーマンスと圧倒的なエネルギーで、純粋な快楽の瞬間を提供します。お見逃しなく！を視聴！ fc2, 40代, doggy, Its a matter of few days before varun dhawans mom, laali, starts to set up her sons 4bhk flat.

Play trending and hottest 巨乳fc2 movies. Elika fc2 spank порно відео, 巨乳fc2 playlist hd porn videos, We hope you’re pleased with the results.

Fc2-ppv-4642256

Fc2ppv4822500 ※解禁露臉傳奇高中同窗友依＆光的後宮3p。史上最高美女雙重潮吹配合連續中出，在fc2刻下歷史。～1231下架. Erika fc2 spank порно видео cums. Fc2 spank – fc2ppv4671394 sparkle star rail cosplay paizuri, My naughty wife is going to get her ass sexually spanked when she gets home from work, Watch fc2最新 playlist for free on spankbang 105 movies and sexy clips. アジアのエキゾチックな魅力を堪能できるこのアダルトビデオでは、情熱と官能性に満ちたシーンを楽しめます。 熟練の出演者による激しい場面は、オリエンタルなエロティックコンテンツを愛する方に最適です。 久しぶりに会ったパイパンちゃんが少し埃抜けてたから中出しでクリマックスに達しました！ 黒髪ショートの女の子をスーツ姿で媚薬を使って何度もイカせて中出し！ hカップの豊満な女性が最後まで飲み込む！ jdとのハメ撮り！ もちろん中出し。 スリムな女性が本性を露わにし、皆で共有する濃厚な体験。 長身gカップ美女によるパイズリと中出しで、最高の快楽を。 2人の大人の女性と1人の男性が一緒に楽しみ、激しい3pプレイの中で男性が誰で射精するか悩むシーン。 興奮と共有された喜びに満ちた場面。.

Days ago new videos for fc2 spank latest hd fc2ppv4833699 fカップ垂れ巨乳物静かで上品な奥様の舌使いが予想外にエロすぎるうえに感度抜群でたまらん抜ける映像です嫁ちゃん倉庫※レビュー特典あり. Mga bagong video para sa fc2 spank. Fc2 japan porn videos. Days ago fc2ppv4834375 超乳マニア向け現段階最高傑作、熟女ハーフの肉体マッサージに鬼イカせからご褒美乳揺れまくりハメ撮り ※元メンエス嬢, Watch fc2 36歳人妻自衛官 on spankbang now. Результаты поиска по fc2 spank.

Watch fc2 素人 porn videos here on spankbang. You searched for fc2 spank, and here’s what heavyfetish has for your query. Наслаждайтесь лучшим контентом для взрослых, эксклюзивными сценами и.

fc2 살 App › videos › playfc2ppv4760255 intense play involving spanking and. Исследуйте наиболее актуальные бесплатные порно видео для erika fc2 spank на cums. We hope you’re pleased with the results. Насолоджуйтесь найкращим контентом для дорослих, ексклюзивними сценами та. New videos for fc2 spank. fc2ppv429568

fc2-ppv-3800565 ギャル, 無修正, 自衛官 porn spankbang. Fc2ppv4830408 ​​скидка 70% впервые только до 18 read more. Play trending and hottest fc2最新 movies. Fc2 japan porn videos. Erika fc2 spank порно видео cums. fc2-ppv-1057960

fc2 civicc Fc2 spank – fc2ppv4671394 sparkle star rail cosplay paizuri. Fc2 cosplay porn videos. Play trending and hottest 巨乳fc2 movies. Days ago fc2ppv4834375 超乳マニア向け現段階最高傑作、熟女ハーフの肉体マッサージに鬼イカせからご褒美乳揺れまくりハメ撮り ※元メンエス嬢. Asian amateur fc2 spank. fc2 스트리밍

fc2 dcw Elika fc2 spank порно відео. Fc2ppv4830408 ​​скидка 70% впервые только до 18 read more. Its a matter of few days before varun dhawans mom, laali, starts to set up her sons 4bhk flat. Новые видео по запросу fc2 spank. Asian amateur fc2 spank.

fc2-ppv-4213659 Fc2 japan porn videos. 巨乳fc2 playlist hd porn videos. アジアのエキゾチックな魅力を堪能できるこのアダルトビデオでは、情熱と官能性に満ちたシーンを楽しめます。 熟練の出演者による激しい場面は、オリエンタルなエロティックコンテンツを愛する方に最適です。 久しぶりに会ったパイパンちゃんが少し埃抜けてたから中出しでクリマックスに達しました！ 黒髪ショートの女の子をスーツ姿で媚薬を使って何度もイカせて中出し！ hカップの豊満な女性が最後まで飲み込む！ jdとのハメ撮り！ もちろん中出し。 スリムな女性が本性を露わにし、皆で共有する濃厚な体験。 長身gカップ美女によるパイズリと中出しで、最高の快楽を。 2人の大人の女性と1人の男性が一緒に楽しみ、激しい3pプレイの中で男性が誰で射精するか悩むシーン。 興奮と共有された喜びに満ちた場面。. Fc2ppv4822500 ※解禁露臉傳奇高中同窗友依＆光的後宮3p。史上最高美女雙重潮吹配合連續中出，在fc2刻下歷史。～1231下架. My naughty wife is going to get her ass sexually spanked when she gets home from work.

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.

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.