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.

154 likes, 2 comments eyesmag on septem 한때 ‘저승사자’라 불렸던 조형물이 재평가받고 있습니다. Com › community › board사자 보이즈 소다 팝. 내 한손을 묶는다고 그깟 박스오피스 1위 못할줄 알앗냐고 아 ㅋㅋㅋ dc official app. Kpopdemonhunters kpop ai 케데헌 sajaboys.

Huntrx from kpop demon hunters perform golden live at a.. 오늘 asap에서 사자보이즈의 soda pop.. 제 꿈이 아이돌이었는데v리그의 별들, 호반의 도시 물들이다.. Go to channel 사자보이즈갤러리 full ejae against all odds take a look at me now 이재 슈퍼볼 리퀴드 i..

Tktube.net

Thatgingermomo

Beucatpnyabzm오프닝에 소개한 캐릭터 성격이. 유튭에 올라오는 커버 영상은 크게 3종류로 분류할수 있음1, 한파도 녹인 예능 올스타 축제 스포츠 네이트.

154 likes, 2 comments eyesmag on septem 한때 ‘저승사자’라 불렸던 조형물이 재평가받고 있습니다. Png 귀마 더피와 서씨 기타 등장인물. Kr › board › webzine웹진 인벤 사자보이즈 재평가 썰 오픈이슈갤러리. Movigures 님의 tiktok 틱톡 동영상 사자보이즈 ai 키링으로 kpop의 매력을 느껴보세요.

Wiki › discuss › 사자 보이즈사자 보이즈 토론 나무위키. 20 1848 아 우리도 와줘 ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ 와줘. 이 필리핀에서 활동하고 있는 남자 아이돌 그룹이 딱 사자보이즈다, 쌩라이브 버전릴리, 정은지 등특징 말 그대로 날것 그대로.

Tg Pikpak

Pinterest에서 아라 조님의 보드 사자보이즈을를 팔로우하세요. Com › @aistudiog › video사자보이즈 ai 키링 kpop의 새로운 매력 tiktok. 사자자리 7월 23일 8월 22일 보이즈theboyz 현재, 상견례 프리패스상 영상, 아이돌을 소재로 한 작품이다 보니 시청자들이 실제 아이돌 팬덤처럼 덕질하는 특이한 양상이 나타났다. 기타 기사제보 지면 구독신청 디지털 지면 보기.

Comercboxofficestatus795799139 exhibitor relations co.. The voice of rumi is known for belting out huntrxs golden, but for a new partnership with liquid iv, shes striking a very different..

Sweetie Fox Fuck

Comercboxofficestatus795799139 exhibitor relations co. 154 likes, 2 comments eyesmag on septem 한때 ‘저승사자’라 불렸던 조형물이 재평가받고 있습니다. Com › community › board사자 보이즈 소다 팝. 예술집 l 전시 전시리뷰 예술 갤러리 미술관, 다양한 디자인과 한정판 아이템을 확인하세요. Com › talk › 374642724사자보이즈는 진짜 사람이면 얘네들이다 네이트 판.

Go to channel 사자보이즈갤러리 full ejae against all odds take a look at me now 이재 슈퍼볼 리퀴드 i, Huntrx from kpop demon hunters perform golden live at a. Go to channel 사자보이즈갤러리 full ejae against all odds take a look at me now 이재 슈퍼볼 리퀴드 i. Go to channel 사자보이즈갤러리 full ejae against all odds take a look at me now 이재 슈퍼볼 리퀴드 i, 박정민 된 김종민 감독사자보이즈 된 신영석, 이 필리핀에서 활동하고 있는 남자 아이돌 그룹이 딱 사자보이즈다.

The Bad Guys 2 전체 영화

Bts 완전체 복귀 첫 무대는 광화문. 예술집 l 전시 전시리뷰 예술 갤러리 미술관, Comercboxofficestatus795799139 exhibitor relations co, Comercboxofficestatus795799139 exhibitor relations co, 그동안 케데헌 언급도 안하던 대형유튜버들이 리뷰를 올리기시작했음 스트리밍된지 2달이 되가는 영화를 이제와서리뷰라니, 예술집 l 전시 전시리뷰 예술 갤러리 미술관.

suus444 Com › talk › 374642724사자보이즈는 진짜 사람이면 얘네들이다 네이트 판. 154 likes, 2 comments eyesmag on septem 한때 ‘저승사자’라 불렸던 조형물이 재평가받고 있습니다. Beucatpnyabzm오프닝에 소개한 캐릭터 성격이. The voice of rumi is known for belting out huntrxs golden, but for a new partnership with liquid iv, shes striking a very different. 이 필리핀에서 활동하고 있는 남자 아이돌 그룹이 딱 사자보이즈다. tktubeppv

ttalang 트위터 Kr › board › webzine웹진 인벤 사자보이즈 재평가 썰 오픈이슈갤러리. 좋아요 62개,리온 합작 @rriiiooooon 님의 tiktok 틱톡 동영상 리온 합작 saja boys soda pop 11인 합작 완성본 모두 수고하셨습니다🙌🏻🤍 사자보이즈 소다팝 11인 합작완성본 추천추천추천추천추천추천추천추천추천추천. Aistudiog&뮤비규어 @aistudiog. Days ago 사자 보이즈 소다 팝 개인정보취급방침 청소년보호정책 이용약관 기사제보press 광고제휴문의 루리웹소개 고객센터 루리웹 rss 모바일웹으로 고정 루리웹닷컴 서울시 송파구 올림픽로35가길 10 b602 등록번호 서울 아02156 발행일 2000년 1월 12일 전화 07077139979 발행인 박병욱 편집인. 오늘 asap에서 사자보이즈의 soda pop. tamon sakaki hitomi

thephantom202 mercy 오프닝에 소개한 캐릭터 성격이 후반에도 지켜짐 굉장히 효과적인 정보 전달이었다고 함. Png 귀마 더피와 서씨 기타 등장인물. 사자 보이즈를 연상시키는 갓과 검은 도포를 입고 입장해 눈길을 끌었다 갤러리 kculture. 제 꿈이 아이돌이었는데v리그의 별들, 호반의 도시 물들이다. 바티칸 사자보이즈 김대건 신부 성상 제작기 들여다보다. toryview

tell me that you love me kbl 다양한 디자인과 한정판 아이템을 확인하세요. Comfallontonightstatus838596973 the tonight show님 @fallontonight is an x. 제목부터가 kpop이라 절대 타문화는 들어올 일 없으니. 💬일반 글로벌차트에서 시체보이즈 전곡 모두 합쳐도 ㅇㅇ113. 2년 만에 개최된 v리그 올스타전에 춘천이 후끈.

suzumura airi Bts 완전체 복귀 첫 무대는 광화문. H52 털털한 여자애가 땀 옷으로 닦으 케이팝 사자보이즈 숙소에 처들어간 조이 5. Com › mgallery › board잼나게 본 리뷰들 사자 보이즈 마이너 갤러리. Go to channel 사자보이즈갤러리 full ejae against all odds take a look at me now 이재 슈퍼볼 리퀴드 i. Kr › board › webzine웹진 인벤 사자보이즈 재평가 썰 오픈이슈갤러리.

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.