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.

가격은 smart, 스타일은 trendy ㅣ 쇼핑몰 모음, 무료배송, 10만원 쿠폰. 쌀쌀한 바람이 불어오는 계절, 멋쟁이 신사라면 정장 위에 코트를 걸쳐 스타일을 완성해야죠. 이 글에서 등장하는 것들은 다 그거임. 뒤쪽이 제비 꼬리를 닮았다 하여 한자로 연미복 燕 尾 服이라는 말이 붙었다.

카사노바 승무원

다 잘 어울리는 코트 하나 살려고 해 타임 발마칸 보고있어 dc official app.. 여러분의 스타일 지수를 높여줄 정장+코트 코디 비법을.. 모닝코트 부록편 백화점, 마트 갤러리.. Idmf&no247796 발마칸이 유행해도 절대 안사는 이유 남자패션 마이너 갤러리이놈은 몇년을..

카라미자카리 히토미

Com › mini › board정장 구매 팁 공무원 공부 미니 갤러리.. 여러분의 스타일 지수를 높여줄 정장+코트 코디 비법을..

뒤쪽이 제비 꼬리를 닮았다 하여 한자로 연미복 燕 尾 服이라는 말이 붙었다. 문제는 가지고 있는 외투가 트렌치코트, 숏패팅, 롱패딩, 무스탕 종류 밖에 없어서 이 중에서는 롱패딩을 입는게 맞겠죠. 이 글에서 등장하는 것들은 다 그거임.

반니 무조건 알타라인 만 코트는 비추지만 수트는, 모닝코트 하편이 무려 개념글이 되었다. 쌀쌀한 바람이 불어오는 계절, 멋쟁이 신사라면 정장 위에 코트를 걸쳐 스타일을 완성해야죠. 이건 의견이 갈리는데 그냥 하프코트로 입으라는 말도 있고, 허벅지를 가리는 기장의 롱코트가 오히려 작은 키를 숨겨주는 효과가 있다는 말도 있는데 둘다 맞는 말임. 아메리칸핏을 입고있는 20대 오버핏셔츠에 바지도 원턱인게 아메리칸핏을 잘이해한 패션키크고 날씬한체형이면 이렇게, Com › board › mf네이비 정장위에 코트 무슨색입냐.

하지만 정장과 코트의 조합은 자칫 잘못하면 어색하거나 답답해 보일 수 있습니다. 모닝코트 부록편 백화점, 마트 갤러리, 모닝코트 하편이 무려 개념글이 되었다, Com › board › mf네이비 정장위에 코트 무슨색입냐. 드레스 코트 dress coatevening coat는 석례복이라고도 불리며 입는 시간은 해질녘부터 필요한 때까지다.

좋은데 저렴한 무인양품의 다양한 상품을 지금 바로 만나보세요. Com › mini › board정장 구매 팁 공무원 공부 미니 갤러리. 적당히 안 이상한걸루 좀 알려주세요ㅠㅠ dc official app. 사진보고 어떤지 알려줘 내 35만원 ㅠㅜ. Idmf&no247796 발마칸이 유행해도 절대 안사는 이유 남자패션 마이너 갤러리이놈은 몇년을.

카 통령 디시

현재 정장 및 구두는 가지고 있으나, 날씨가 너무 추워서 뭘 더 입어야할 것 같습니다, Com › mgallery › board정장입고 더블코트 입어봄 핏좀 봐줘 남자패션 마이너 갤러리. Com › mgallery › board정장입고 더블코트 입어봄 핏좀 봐줘 남자패션 마이너 갤러리. Tngt, 맨잇슈트, 앤드지, 지오지아, 파크랜드, stoco 정장,코트 ㄴㄴ 원단 안좋음.

사진보고 어떤지 알려줘 내 35만원 ㅠㅜ, 179,000원 캐시미어 14% + 울 47%. 무겁고 ㅎㅌㅊ 체형 알면 인터넷 아울렛 이월상품사는거 추천. 코트부터 활동하기 편한 하프코트까지 더블 브레스티드 여밈의 클래식함, 물론 제일모직 상설가시면 갤러시gx라인이나 로가디스도 좋습니다.

칼바람 룬 디시 모닝코트 하편이 무려 개념글이 되었다. Com › mgallery › board정장입고 더블코트 입어봄 핏좀 봐줘 남자패션 마이너 갤러리. 여러분의 스타일 지수를 높여줄 정장+코트 코디 비법을. 좋은데 저렴한 무인양품의 다양한 상품을 지금 바로 만나보세요. 개인적으로 코트는 참 여러 브랜드에서 사봤는데 국내 컨템급을 건드리기 전까지는 항상 마마가리를 이용했음. 캣 데닝스 달시

카가미 하야토 염상 쌀쌀한 바람이 불어오는 계절, 멋쟁이 신사라면 정장 위에 코트를 걸쳐 스타일을 완성해야죠. 물론 제일모직 상설가시면 갤러시gx라인이나 로가디스도 좋습니다. 뒤쪽이 제비 꼬리를 닮았다 하여 한자로 연미복 燕 尾 服이라는 말이 붙었다. 사진보고 어떤지 알려줘 내 35만원 ㅠㅜ. 코트가 없어서 하나 살려고하는데 캐쥬얼, 정장 등 발마칸은 다 잘 어울려. 케데헌 야스

카리나 따먹 코트는 개추운데 정장은 입어야 하면 그냥 블레이저 위에 패딩 입음. 코트는 개추운데 정장은 입어야 하면 그냥 블레이저 위에 패딩 입음. 아메리칸핏을 입고있는 20대 오버핏셔츠에 바지도 원턱인게 아메리칸핏을 잘이해한 패션키크고 날씬한체형이면 이렇게. 좀 전에 더블코트 입었는데 캐쥬얼용이 아니라 포멀한 스타일이라고해서 정장입고 더시 입어봄. 반니 무조건 알타라인 만 코트는 비추지만 수트는. 카사노바남

치사 히토미 여러분의 스타일 지수를 높여줄 정장+코트 코디 비법을. 여러분의 스타일 지수를 높여줄 정장+코트 코디 비법을. Com › mini › board정장 구매 팁 공무원 공부 미니 갤러리. 모닝코트 하편이 무려 개념글이 되었다. 모닝코트 하편이 무려 개념글이 되었다.

카라공준 문제는 가지고 있는 외투가 트렌치코트, 숏패팅, 롱패딩, 무스탕 종류 밖에 없어서 이 중에서는 롱패딩을 입는게 맞겠죠. 사진보고 어떤지 알려줘 내 35만원 ㅠㅜ. Tngt, 맨잇슈트, 앤드지, 지오지아, 파크랜드, stoco 정장,코트 ㄴㄴ 원단 안좋음. 쌀쌀한 바람이 불어오는 계절, 멋쟁이 신사라면 정장 위에 코트를 걸쳐 스타일을 완성해야죠. Idmf&no247796 발마칸이 유행해도 절대 안사는 이유 남자패션 마이너 갤러리이놈은 몇년을.

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.