The Trump administration has markedly revised and diminished the annual report issued by the US government on global human rights violations.
The state department document, once regarded as the most thorough assessment of its kind by any government, has considerably lessened its criticism of certain US allies like Israel and El Salvador, while increasing its disapproval of countries perceived as adversaries, such as Brazil and South Africa.
Complete sections that were present in previous years' reports have also been omitted, resulting in a significant decrease in coverage of topics such as government corruption and the persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals.
State Department officials claim it was "restructured" to "eliminate redundancies" and "enhance readability."
The report additionally indicates that the human rights landscape has "worsened" in some of America’s closest partners, including the UK, France, and Germany, due to regulations governing online hate speech.
The phrasing used reflects earlier critiques made by the Trump administration and some US tech leaders who oppose laws aimed at reducing online harm in several European nations, depicting these regulations as infringements on free speech.
Uzra Zeya, a former senior official at the State Department who now leads the charity Human Rights First, accused the Trump administration of "undermining" decades of highly regarded efforts in human rights protections and an "abandonment of fundamental values" relevant to the US.
"It conveys a message that there will be a lenient approach from the United States government, which will overlook actions taken by a government as long as it is willing to make agreements or cater to this administration's demands," she expressed to the BBC.
The report claims that the UK faces "significant human rights concerns," highlighting "credible reports of serious constraints on freedom of expression." It also notes that the prosecution and punishment of human rights violations are described as "inconsistent."
A spokesperson for the UK Government responded, stating, "Free speech is essential for democracy both globally and in the UK, and we take pride in upholding freedoms while ensuring the safety of our citizens."
Last year in the UK, after the stabbing deaths of three young girls in Southport, authorities acted against social media users who falsely claimed that an asylum seeker was responsible and called for revenge.
Brazil, which has often been criticized by the Trump administration, was highlighted in the State Department report for "disproportionate measures to undermine freedom of speech."
Both the UK and Brazil have previously dismissed similar critiques from the US.
In the section about Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, the report states that the ongoing conflict "has led to an increase in reports of human rights violations."
Nevertheless, the report goes on to say that "the government took several credible measures to identify officials who committed human rights abuses." It also accuses Hamas and Hezbollah of war crimes, which both groups have denied.
The report does not mention the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former defense minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas commander Mohammed Deif.
ICC judges determined that there were "reasonable grounds" to believe that these individuals bore "criminal responsibility" for alleged war crimes. Both Israel and Hamas have rejected these allegations.
El Salvador has faced accusations from Amnesty International regarding "arbitrary detentions and human rights violations," as well as conditions of detention deemed "inhumane."
Nonetheless, a report from the state department found "no credible reports of significant human rights abuses."
Trump maintains a close rapport with El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, whom he praised in April as "one hell of a president" and recognized for doing a "great job."
The document was released after several months of delays, amid reports of considerable internal disagreement within the State Department concerning its content.
It follows guidance issued earlier this year by political leaders that reportedly instructed staff to condense the reports and eliminate references to matters such as corruption and gender-based violence, aligning with some executive orders on related topics issued by President Trump.
During a visit to Saudi Arabia earlier this year, Trump criticized "Western interventionists" and stated that the US would no longer "lecture you on how to live or how to govern your own affairs."
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