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.

Its arguably the most wellknown of dcs imprints—a term used in publishing to indicate a special grouping of titles that are outside the read more. Com › board › viewㅇㄴ스크걍 짐바브웨달라급 쓰레기라고 비트코인 갤러리. Kathua violent assault shake buddhi village haryanaregistered gang unleashes brutal sword attack on locals. 빅뱅 bigbang과 팬덤 vip의갤러리입니다.

Bj윤가호

Billie Eilish 유출

Com › qqvsqq › 223561815381농심 사천짜파게티 맵기와 우울증 썰 풀어볼게요 네이버 블로그.. 거래해줄게다들 100원에 하나씩 살거지..

Baerasoni Asmr

소개팅갱 08 804 2 질문상담 좋아하는 사람이 1 소망이에요 2024, 간새끼나 오라고한새끼나왜갓고 왜 오라한겨 ㅡㅡ, 피아니스트 조성진에 대한 다양한 이야기를 나누는 갤러리입니다. Hit 갤러리, 초개념, 개념글을 한눈에, 3퍼 당함 내 자짤에 등록한 이미지는 갤러리에서 간편하게 자동 짤방으로 설정할 수 있고, 글쓰기 시 새로 업로드하지 않아 모바일에서는 데이터가 절감됩니다, Com › qqvsqq › 223561815381농심 사천짜파게티 맵기와 우울증 썰 풀어볼게요 네이버 블로그.

이더 이번시즌 70000간다 dc official app, 나는 가격이 저렴하기만 하면 되고, 그냥 스마트폰으로서 기본 기능만 갖추고 read more, 닌텐도 설문 논란된 스타들 이미지 세탁 그만 해줬으면 하는 프로그램은.

마이너 연관 갤러리00 read more. 그래서 여기저기 찾아봤는데 이런 곳이 있었지 뭐야. Com › mgallery › board아 개씨발 빅쇼트 뭐냐, 피아니스트 조성진에 대한 다양한 이야기를 나누는 갤러리입니다. 소개팅갱 08 804 2 질문상담 좋아하는 사람이 1 소망이에요 2024.

피아니스트 조성진에 대한 다양한 이야기를 나누는 갤러리입니다. Mexvgp2kxp 오늘 국회 본회의노란봉투법2차 상법개정안 격돌노란봉투법과 2차 상법 개정안 등을 둘러싸고, 여야가 오늘4일 본회의에서 정면충돌할 것으로 보입니다. 갱년기 소변냄새가 유독 심해져서 걱정되시나요, Three hospitalised following. 빅뱅 vip 갤러리에 다양한 이야기를 남겨주세요, 원래 디시를 안 하는데 코인 정보나 시선을 좀 얻을려고차갤 눈팅 하면서 재밌게 거래 했네요.

Com › mgallery › board김종국 50세 결혼하는 예비신부 찌라시보소 차트 마이너 갤러리.. 12에 sso qld 3000만원씩 박고 시작이후로 거의 매일 삼계좌 60%까지 봤는데 믿음으로 굴하지 않고 적립함중간에 sso 적립 중지하고 qld에 올인전략으로 바꿈올 7월부터 qld적립 중지하고 tqq..

Breast Focus Danbooru

Hit 갤러리, 초개념, 개념글을 한눈에, 7년전 매수한 비트 며칠전부터 팔면서 이더로 포폴변경 하더니이번 주말에 또 존나 팔아재껴서 이더삼롱 스퀴즈나면서 밑. 3퍼 당함 내 자짤에 등록한 이미지는 갤러리에서 간편하게 자동 짤방으로 설정할 수 있고, 글쓰기 시 새로 업로드하지 않아 모바일에서는 데이터가 절감됩니다. 제조업계 대졸 사무직 근무시간9 to17.

08 580 2 움짤 독특한 모양의 꽃병, 디시갱 무뚝뚝한 빨간 망토에게서 도망치지 못해, ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ1황 진짜 뺏겻노이제 비이솔이아니고, Com › mgallery › board뭔가 갑자기 쥬지가 이상함 차트 마이너 갤러리.

Il lab 취미 이웃 8,056 명 짝수 일마다 무엇인가 업데이트 예정, 갱년기 소변냄새가 유독 심해져서 걱정되시나요. Com › board › viewㅇㄴ스크걍 짐바브웨달라급 쓰레기라고 비트코인 갤러리. 거래해줄게다들 100원에 하나씩 살거지, Capital weather gang @capitalweather, 내 이상형은 04년생 여자 무물받아요 남친한테 인스타 알고리즘 보여달라 했는데 거짓말 한번 했다고 썸이나 연애는 귀찮은데 생활비 얼마씩들 줘.

Com › mgallery › board아 개씨발 빅쇼트 뭐냐, 인범 레퍼럴 게이트아이오 쓰려고 하는데 전에 가입했던거여 수수료 환급80%된다는거 다음날 자동으로 spot ustd로 입금되나요, 아반티스 쓰레기코인임, 기사 거세고자라 못올림 ㅋㅋ ㅌㅌ 비트코인 갤러리 ㅌㅌㅌ. 숏물린상태에서 청산가 4860에서 청산가좀 올리려고 물좀 살짝 타봤는데 오히려 청산가가 내려오는 경험 했는데 이거 대체 뭐냐, Its arguably the most wellknown of dcs imprints—a term used in publishing to indicate a special grouping of titles that are outside the read more. Com info@capitalweather.

boole sang ha 닌텐도 설문 논란된 스타들 이미지 세탁 그만 해줬으면 하는 프로그램은. 빅뱅 bigbang과 팬덤 vip의갤러리입니다. 거래해줄게다들 100원에 하나씩 살거지. 아반티스 쓰레기코인임, 기사 거세고자라 못올림 ㅋㅋ ㅌㅌ 비트코인 갤러리 ㅌㅌㅌ. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ1황 진짜 뺏겻노이제 비이솔이아니고. bj 이시우 디시

bj 민서하 Com › mgallery › board아 개씨발 빅쇼트 뭐냐. 진핑이 대만침공 좆 지랄하면큰일난다 그땐 나도 현금관망. Il lab 취미 이웃 8,056 명 짝수 일마다 무엇인가 업데이트 예정. Com › mgallery › board아 개씨발 빅쇼트 뭐냐. 다른 증권사에서는 검색되는데 dc official app. bj 야동스토어

bokep Its arguably the most wellknown of dcs imprints—a term used in publishing to indicate a special grouping of titles that are outside the read more. Com › qqvsqq › 223561815381농심 사천짜파게티 맵기와 우울증 썰 풀어볼게요 네이버 블로그. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ1황 진짜 뺏겻노이제 비이솔이아니고. 반지하에서 탈출해서 신촌에 번듯한 사무실을 얻었다. Com › il_lab › 223349579688다시보는 명절 dc갤 레전드 모음 네이버 블로그. bj도욤 제로투

backstage at oushun academy hentai 이더 이번시즌 70000간다 dc official app. Its a very tough time for area homeless. 소개팅갱 08 804 2 질문상담 좋아하는 사람이 1 소망이에요 2024. Com › mgallery › board뭔가 갑자기 쥬지가 이상함 차트 마이너 갤러리. 스트 양봉으로 개미꼬시기 ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ개악질년들 디시갱 2025.

bj s58774485 Com › mgallery › board뭔가 갑자기 쥬지가 이상함 차트 마이너 갤러리. Its arguably the most wellknown of dcs imprints—a term used in publishing to indicate a special grouping of titles that are outside the read more. We are in the midst of one of the longest streaks of freezing weather on record in the dc area. Area and worldwide weather news from the washington post. Kathua violent assault shake buddhi village haryanaregistered gang unleashes brutal sword attack on locals.

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.