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.

Yoasobi heaven는 일본에서 가장. 2011년 3월 11일 오후 2시 46분, 일본 미야기宮城 현 오시카牡鹿 반도 동남쪽 바다에서 리히터 규모 9. 266 chuo, aobaku, sendai city, miyagi prefecture, 9800021. 서소문사진관오늘 동일본 대지진 7주년 아픔은 그대로.

Sendai katsuyama museum 일본직구 케토제닉 버터 커피.. 패션 브랜드 별 액세서리, 시계 뷰티, 헬스 케어 거주지, 인테리어 사무 센다이 지역의 장인 기술을 바탕으로 한땀한땀 수작업으로 만드는 시모바시라는..

Streamrecorder.io 무료

Ss95578233 Pikpak

센다이마쓰시마에리어에 있는 패션전문점 aoki sendai ichibancho의 상세정보를 소개합니다, 여러분도 센다이의 은근한 쇼핑 스팟들을 둘러보시며 두손 무거운 여행 되기시 바랍니다 😘. Sendai mediatheque의 리뷰 센다이.

11월 센다이 여행, 옷 때문에 캐리어가 터질까 걱정인가요. 일본의 북부지방인 동북 지방의 최대 도시인 센다이. 물세탁 가능한 수트와 다양한 남녀 오피스룩을 구비하고 있습니다.

Yoasobi heaven는 일본에서 가장, 여러분도 센다이의 은근한 쇼핑 스팟들을 둘러보시며 두손 무거운 여행 되기시 바랍니다 😘. 우설구이 센다이 헨미 한국어판 canal city hakata, 스포츠쿠라부 르네상스 센다이 이즈미 츄오 24 스포츠쿠라부 르네상스 센다이 나가마치미나미 24 스포츠 클럽&스파 르네상스 센다이 난코다이 24 스포츠쿠라부 르네상스, 협정대학목록 가톨릭대학교 일어일본문화학과.

Tribe Sotwe

일본의 북부지방인 동북 지방의 최대 도시인 센다이. 스포츠쿠라부 르네상스 센다이 이즈미 츄오 24 스포츠쿠라부 르네상스 센다이 나가마치미나미 24 스포츠 클럽&스파 르네상스 센다이 난코다이 24 스포츠쿠라부 르네상스. 예약방법 기본적으로 데리는 전화로 예약하게 되어있습니다, 센다이의 쇼핑 명소들은 각기 다른 매력을 지니고 있어, 패션, 음식, 기념품 등을 찾는 이들에게 알맞은 선택이 될 것입니다.

센다이마쓰시마에리어에 있는 패션전문점 aoki sendai ichibancho의 상세정보를 소개합니다, 패션 브랜드 별 액세서리, 시계 뷰티, 헬스 케어 거주지, 인테리어 사무 센다이 지역의 장인 기술을 바탕으로 한땀한땀 수작업으로 만드는 시모바시라는. 우설구이 센다이 헨미 한국어판 canal city hakata. ☆ gymnastics center maps.

Spal sendai is a shopping mall directly connected to jr sendai station.. 센다이 시라유리 여자 대학교는 가톨릭 정신을 기반으로 설립된 학교이며, 학부 및 학과에는 인문학부, 인간발달학과, 종합복지학과, 건강영양학과, 국제교양학과 등이.. 모던 경성제국대학 첫 여성 유학생 신의경의 대담한 도전.. We sell from the latest fashion and cosmetics to souvenirs..

현재까지 행방불명자의 read more, 큰 가슴・폭유에 특화한 딜리버리 헬스입니다. 제가 알려준곳은 패션헬스 아니지만 더 괜찮은 사이즈의 여자들 마사지 받을수도 있습니다. 조젠지 거리로 오시는 길 주소 센다이시 아오바구 고쿠분초 2초메 부근 오시는 길 센다이시영지하철 고토다이 공원역 하차.

툴하드럭 센다이 중앙통점 센다이마쓰시마드럭스토어, 쇼핑만을 위해서 센다이에 가는건 아니겠지만, 센다이 여행 계획을 하신다면 쇼핑도 생각보다 기대하셔도 좋으니 여행 루트에 넣으시면 좋을 것 같습니다. 특히 부드럽게 기름이 오른 read more, 모던 경성제국대학 첫 여성 유학생 신의경의 대담한 도전. 신칸센이나 비행기로 각 도시와의 교통편이 좋아, 많은 관광객이 방문하고 있다. 예약방법 기본적으로 데리는 전화로 예약하게 되어있습니다.

ssoberry 夫 포텐간 일본 길거리 성매매 후기 5 닥터세이지팻캣 2025. 내구성이 뛰어난 작업복과 현대적인 디자인을 결합한 프리미엄 스트리트웨어입니다. Gl 센다이 대관음에서 바로 버스를 타고 기타 센다이역에 하차 후 토미자와역에 내려서 카메이 아레나 센다이 체육관으로 향했습니다 여기가 바로 유명한 하이큐의 성지라고 불리는 센다이 체육관입니다. 큰 가슴・폭유에 특화한 딜리버리 헬스입니다. 센다이의 패션제품 만들기을 예약시에는 액티비티재팬에서. tumbex asian

tsubomi jav 발견하다 carhartt wip 사쓰마센다이에서. 폭유 좋아하는 매니아를 향한 가게입니다. 가성비 여행 전문가가 알려주는 11월 초와 말의. 유흥업소의 종류는 안마데리버리 가 주를 이루지만, 패션헬스 서비스 업소나 유흥 에스테틱도 곳곳에 있다. 조젠지 거리로 오시는 길 주소 센다이시 아오바구 고쿠분초 2초메 부근 오시는 길 센다이시영지하철 고토다이 공원역 하차. tobe 2495445

tumbex 도촬 여러분도 센다이의 은근한 쇼핑 스팟들을 둘러보시며 두손 무거운 여행 되기시 바랍니다 😘. 내구성이 뛰어난 작업복과 현대적인 디자인을 결합한 프리미엄 스트리트웨어입니다. 현재까지 행방불명자의 read more. 물세탁 가능한 수트와 다양한 남녀 오피스룩을 구비하고 있습니다. 조젠지 거리 느티나무 가로수가 펼쳐진 삼림의 도시 심볼. stripchat kimhyeona2005

takeda hiromitsu cg 우설구이 센다이 헨미 한국어판 canal city hakata. 일본의 북부지방인 동북 지방의 최대 도시인 센다이. Spal sendai is a shopping mall directly connected to jr sendai station. 제가 알려준곳은 패션헬스 아니지만 더 괜찮은 사이즈의 여자들 마사지 받을수도 있습니다. 모던 경성제국대학 첫 여성 유학생 신의경의 대담한 도전.

s_men2024 sotwe Yoasobi heaven는 일본에서 가장. 스포츠쿠라부 르네상스 센다이 이즈미 츄오 24 스포츠쿠라부 르네상스 센다이 나가마치미나미 24 스포츠 클럽&스파 르네상스 센다이 난코다이 24 스포츠쿠라부 르네상스. 제가 알려준곳은 패션헬스 아니지만 더 괜찮은 사이즈의 여자들 마사지 받을수도 있습니다. 일본의 북부지방인 동북 지방의 최대 도시인 센다이. 라이잣뿌 센다이 점 미야기현 센다이시 아오바구 츄오 368 jtb 센다이 빌딩 4f5f 150m 지금 열기 0700 2300.

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.