The organization who have placed the US on the watchlist have blamed Donald Trump for their inclusion
The US has been added to an intentional watchlist which puts them alongside other countries that are ‘deteriorating’ in one aspect.
Since Donald Trump made his highly anticipated return to the White House in January, the country has experienced a whirlwind of changes.
Today (March 11) marks 50 days since Trump’s inauguration, and last week, he addressed Congress, highlighting the progress of his administration. In a dramatic Oval Office interview, Trump took aim at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of “gambling with World War 3.” This bold statement led to the 47th POTUS pulling military aid to Ukraine, a move that’s already sparking intense debate.
Trump’s presidency so far has been defined by a flurry of executive orders, some of which have sparked intense controversy. As the nation braces for what’s next, the impacts of these decisions are rippling through both domestic and global politics.
In a significant shift for Trump’s presidency, the United States has now been added to the Civicus Monitor Watchlist, which includes countries facing a sharp decline in civic freedoms. The international civil rights organization Civicus announced that the US would be joining nations like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Italy, Pakistan, and Serbia on this list.
Mandeep Tiwana, co-secretary general of Civicus, explained that the Watchlist highlights countries where civic space is rapidly deteriorating, particularly in areas like peaceful assembly, association, and expression.
Civicus’ decision to place the US on this list comes in light of Trump’s administration’s aggressive stance on democratic norms and its impact on global cooperation. According to The Guardian, this move reflects growing concern over the administration’s actions.
Tiwana, in a press release, condemned what he described as “an unparalleled attack on the rule of law” in the US, one that harkens back to the McCarthy era of the mid-20th century. He continued, criticizing restrictive executive orders, institutional cutbacks, and the intimidation tactics employed by senior officials within the Trump administration. These actions, he argued, have created a chilling effect on democratic dissent.
Tiwana concluded: “The Trump administration appears determined to dismantle the system of checks and balances, the very foundation of a democratic society.”
Civicus has pointed to several key factors behind their decision to place the United States on the Watchlist, including allegations that Trump’s administration has attacked hard-fought progress on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additionally, the organization criticized the halt in funding for civil society organizations that support sexual and reproductive freedoms, particularly in light of the administration’s opposition to abortion rights.
In a powerful plea to the US government, Mandeep Tiwana urged: “We call on the United States to uphold the rule of law and respect constitutional and international human rights norms.”
He added: “Americans across the political spectrum are appalled by the undemocratic actions of the current administration,” underscoring the widespread concern over these developments.
