A self-proclaimed leader in upholding human rights, the US has been at the forefront of condemning human rights abuses globally. However, criticisms by the UN and American citizens suggest it has not been leading by example, with several human rights violations being brought to light.

The Human Rights Measurement Initiative reports on how well countries are enforcing international human rights. The most recent report for the US is not positive. In fact, America has performed “abysmally” in several categories, receiving “strikingly poor results”—for instance, for failing to protect citizens from discrimination and police brutality.

The US has faced accusations of voter suppression by introducing policies such as requiring citizens to show ID and prohibiting early votes, both of which disproportionately affect Black Americans and disabled people. The report highlights that people of colour and specifically Black Americans are “particularly vulnerable to abuses of every single right measured”. This highlights a worrying disregard for human rights which appears to affect vulnerable minority groups at a higher level. 

THE HYPOCRISY OF THE US

America has taken a leading role in condemning human rights abuses worldwide. In December 2019, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo condemned Iran for violating human rights, including “the violent crackdown on protestors in November 2019”. This US subsequently placed sanctions on Iran.

The current protests taking place in the US demonstrate the country’s outright hypocrisy. The death of George Floyd at the hands of US police officers has triggered worldwide protests against police brutality. American protestors have largely been met with further violence from the police. What began as a series of peaceful protests quickly became widespread chaos, with police cars driving into protestors, elderly men being pushed to the ground and seriously injured, and assaults on innocent reporters. 

Pompeo has also criticised Tehran for using violence against anti-government protestors. He stated that “we pray for a day when … all peoples can speak and assemble freely without fear of their own governments.” Whilst this violation of human rights should certainly be condemned, it is difficult to see how any country could learn lessons from the US, where the state is encouraging the use of violence against its own citizens during protests.

For instance, Trump tweeted a controversial warning to protestors, stating that “when the looting starts, the shooting starts”. This statement was flagged by Twitter as violating their guidelines by “glorifying violence”. These protests are a clear example of the US committing the same violations it condemns overseas. 

THE EFFECTS OF HYPOCRITICAL POLICY 

The hypocrisy demonstrated by the US has a huge impact on the enforcement of international human rights. The US has a reputation for boasting about its citizens’ freedoms and claims to set an example for the rest of the world. US violations, however, of its own citizens freedoms have allowed countries such as China and Russia to undermine American efforts to condemn human rights abuses. America’s recent violations are likely to prohibit any effective intervention when encouraging other countries to respect human rights. 

The Trump administration has been accused of worsening the situation. For instance, Trump has praised leaders with reputations for violating the rights of religious minorities. One example involves the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, whom Trump welcomed to the White House despite evidence of Modi's violence against Muslim minorities in his country. Trump has also praised the Chinese leader Xi Jinping, despite the detention of 1 million Uighur Muslims in camps due to their religion.

The president of the US remained largely silent on the latter example of human rights abuses, raising suspicion as to whether these violations are condemned only when they are not directed towards minorities. This accusation may be reinforced further when we consider the racist remarks made by Trump and his refusal to condemn attacks against minority groups, alongside the incidental increase in hate crimes since his election.

This allegedly race-fuelled discrimination may explain why the US was previously a leader in refugee resettlement but has lost this title following Trump’s inauguration. Those now allowed into the country are mainly white Europeans while admissions from other parts of the world have been cut by 90%. Asylum seekers at US borders have been met with serious human rights violations. They are separated from their families and live in conditions that have been criticised by the UN as potentially violating international law. US judges have also ruled the familial separation as unlawful and suggest the living conditions in refugee camps likely violate US law. 

Ultimately, the human rights abuses taking place in a country that prides itself on protecting such rights sets the stage for violations to take place worldwide. The hypocrisy displayed by the US must end if the state wishes to promote human rights in other countries with any authority.

Tanya is a Law student heading into the final year of her degree at the University of Manchester. She is interested in bringing attention to human rights issues arising from her Pro-Bono work at University (volunteering at the Legal Advice Centre and taking part in volunteering projects). Her main goal is to become a Barrister practising in either Criminal or Family Law. 

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