Amnesty International vows to ‘fight for human rights’ in Trump’s second term

Trump’s first presidency has seen bigotry, xenophobia and white supremacist rhetoric

The final weeks of the Biden presidency should include commuting federal death sentences, lifting the asylum ban and border closures, and closing Guantanamo

Paul O’Brien: ‘The world is watching and Amnesty International will hold newly elected Trump and the US government accountable’

Amnesty International has vowed to defend human rights during Donald Trump’s second term as US president.

Amnesty International today reminded President-elect Trump and all elected officials across the United States of their obligation to respect, protect and fulfill human rights in their policies and approaches, both domestically and globally.

During Donald Trump’s first presidential administration, Amnesty International documented massive harm to human rights, including his efforts to redefine human rights, and the organization stands ready to defend human rights during Trump’s second term.

Protecting human rights in the US means ending gun violence and guaranteeing adequate healthcare for all, including abortion, Amnesty International said. This means respecting the rights of protesters, as well as immigrants and people seeking asylum. Protecting human rights also means demanding that the governments of other countries, including U.S. allies, stop violating human rights and ensuring that U.S. support does not lead to violations of human rights or humanitarian law.

Amnesty International today welcomed the passage of eight of 11 state-based referendums to protect access to abortion, including Arizona, Missouri, Montana and Nebraska.

Paul O’Brien, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA, said:

“Donald Trump’s first term as president marked the beginning of policies and actions marked by bigotry, xenophobia, and white supremacist rhetoric, leading to extensive human rights violations.

“This second term must be different and Amnesty International will continue to fight for everyone’s human rights to be respected.

“The adoption of state-based referendums on abortion protection is a win for human rights.

“President-elect Trump has advocated restricting access to abortion and harsh penalties. Our fight for reproductive rights is now more urgent than ever.

“The Trump administration and all elected officials must uphold their international human rights obligations as defined in treaties signed and ratified by the United States.

“Our members, supporters, and activists in the United States and around the world will work to hold the Trump administration and all newly elected U.S. officials accountable.

“The world is watching, and Amnesty International will hold President-elect Trump and the US government accountable for their obligations.”

Biden presidency

As his term comes to an end, Amnesty International is calling on President Biden to take urgent action on human rights in the final weeks before his legacy is sealed. This includes commuting death sentences for all people on federal death row, establishing a commission to review slavery reparations, rescinding the asylum ban and border closures, granting amnesty and the release of indigenous elder and activist Leonard Peltier, and closing the infamous Guantanamo detention center. Amnesty International also reiterates President Biden’s call for the Israeli government to immediately halt all arms transfers to protect civilians and ensure that US weapons are not used in violation of international law. President Biden and the current Congress must do everything in their power to ensure an immediate and permanent ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access, and the safe return of all remaining hostages.