US added to human rights watchlist over Trump moves
The United States has been added to CIVICUS’s monitor list of potential human rights threats, a move the global nonprofit says is directly linked to President Trump’s actions since his return to the White House in January.
“Restrictive executive orders, unjustifiable institutional cutbacks, and intimidation tactics through threatening pronouncements by senior officials in the administration are creating an atmosphere to chill democratic dissent, a cherished American ideal,” CIVICUS interim co-Secretary General Mandeep Tiwana said in a statement. “The Trump administration seems hellbent on dismantling the system of checks and balances which are the pillars of a democratic society.”
The U.S. joins Congo, Italy, Pakistan and Serbia in CIVICUS's first watch updates for 2025.
"Gross abuses of executive power raise serious concerns over the freedoms of peaceful assembly, expression and association," the group wrote of the U.S. rating.
CIVICUS specifically pointed to Trump's push for mass firings of federal workers, the dismantling of foreign aid programs, his treatment of the media and efforts across the country to tamp down pro-Palestinian protests.
“Americans across the political spectrum are appalled by the undemocratic actions of the current administration," Tiwana said.
According to CIVICUS, the monitor list “draws attention to countries where there is a serious decline in respect for civic space, based on an assessment by CIVICUS Monitor research findings, our research partners and consultations with activists on the ground.”
“CIVICUS calls upon these governments to do everything in their power to end the ongoing crackdowns immediately and ensure that perpetrators are held to account,” the organization said in its news release on the update.
The U.S. is among 42 countries that CIVICUS rates as "narrowed" on freedom, which is the group's second tier after "open" and used to signify countries where citizens face occasional violations of basic rights.
"Closed," "repressed," and "obstructed" are the most restrictive tiers. Thirty countries, including Russia, North Korea and Iran, are categorized as "closed."
Other countries rated "narrow" include France, Germany and Argentina.
Countries deemed "open" include Taiwan, Canada, Japan and Denmark.
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