The United States has been placed on CIVICUS’s human rights watchlist, pointing to concerns over civil rights violations under President Trump. The organization cites restrictive executive actions and intimidation tactics as contributing factors. Pakistan also finds itself on the list due to deteriorating civil liberties and a crackdown on dissenting voices, highlighting a troubling global trend in human rights violations.
The United States has been added to a human rights watchlist by the international nonprofit CIVICUS, alongside countries including Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Chile, among others. This inclusion is asserted to be connected to President Donald Trump’s actions since January when he resumed office. CIVICUS’s mission focuses on advocating for civil rights and citizen participation in governance.
Mandeep Tiwana, the interim co-Secretary General of CIVICUS, has indicated that Trump’s administration has employed restrictive executive orders, significant institutional cutbacks, and intimidation tactics as contributing factors to this designation. He articulated that such actions are fostering an environment that discourages democratic dissent, which is a fundamental principle of American democracy.
Tiwana remarked, “The Trump administration seems hellbent on dismantling the system of checks and balances which are the pillars of a democratic society.” The White House has not yet addressed these serious allegations presented by CIVICUS.
CIVICUS expressed concerns regarding the US rating, stating that the abuse of executive power significantly threatens the freedoms related to peaceful assembly, expression, and association. They noted that citizens from various political backgrounds are increasingly disillusioned with what they perceive as undemocratic actions within the current administration.
Pakistan’s addition to the watchlist is attributed to a marked decline in civil liberties and increased repression of dissent. Reports from Dawn highlighted specific instances, such as the persecution of Baloch Yakjehti Committee leader Maharang Baloch and human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir, as evidence of the government’s efforts to suppress critical voices.
In conclusion, the United States’ inclusion on CIVICUS’s human rights watchlist underscores significant concerns regarding the erosion of civil liberties linked to the Trump administration’s policies. The organization highlights alarming trends related to executive overreach and suppression of dissent that resonate with discontent among the American populace. Similarly, Pakistan faces scrutiny for its crackdown on civil space, reiterating the global challenges in safeguarding human rights under authoritarian tendencies.
Original Source: www.timesnownews.com
