US Is Officially Added to Human Rights Watch List – Here’s Why

The United States has been added to the CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist officially as of last Sunday signaling serious concerns about civil liberties in the country. This action follows what CIVICUS calls an “assault on democratic norms” under President Donald Trump. 

The organization which includes Amnesty International cited significant cutbacks in foreign aid, executive actions against diversity and inclusion programs and restrictive policies as key reasons for the downgrade.

CIVICUS called the US as “narrowed” indicating that key rights related to free speech and freedom of the press exist but they are still under increasing pressure. The watchdog referenced pressures applied to pro-Palestinian protests, heightened government control over media access and White House interference in the press as significant factors contributing to the change as a one reason to add US in the list.

In addition, major media outlets are ever increasingly under scrutiny with investigations against NPR and PBS and legal action regarding press restrictions. Critics of the investigations have claimed the investigations threaten democracy. The White House dismissed these complaints calling the CIVICUS report “nonsense.”

Other countries on the watchlist include Pakistan, Italy, Serbia and the Democratic Republic of Congo highlighting the US’s growing inclusion among nations facing democratic erosion.