The United States has been recently placed on an international watchlist, aligning it with other nations experiencing a decline in certain areas.
Since Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January, the country has undergone numerous changes.
Today, March 11, marks 50 days since Trump assumed office, and he addressed Congress last week to discuss his achievements so far.
During a heated interview in the Oval Office, the president accused Ukraine’s leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, of “gambling with World War 3,” which prompted Trump to retract military aid for Ukraine.
Trump’s time in office has also seen numerous executive orders, some of which have sparked significant controversy.
In another development, the United States has been added to the Civicus Monitor Watchlist. This list includes countries that a global civil rights watchdog claims are experiencing a rapid decline in civic freedoms.
Civicus, an international non-profit organization, announced that the US was added to the watchlist alongside nations like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Italy, Pakistan, and Serbia.
According to Mandeep Tiwana, co-secretary general of Civicus, the watchlist focuses on countries where there is concern about the worsening conditions for civic space, particularly regarding the freedoms of peaceful assembly, association, and expression.
The Guardian reports that Civicus’s decision to include the US on the list is attributed to the “Trump administration’s assault on democratic norms and global cooperation.”
Mandeep Tiwana, Interim Co-Secretary General of Civicus, stated in a press release: “This is an unparalleled attack on the rule of law in the United States, not seen since the days of McCarthyism in the twentieth century.
“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.
“The Trump administration seems determined to dismantle the system of checks and balances that are fundamental to a democratic society.”
Civicus cites several reasons for their decision, including allegations that Trump has undermined progress in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The press release also mentions that funding has been halted for civil society organizations supporting sexual and reproductive freedoms due to the administration’s stance on abortion rights.
Tiwana urged the United States and Trump’s government: “We urge the United States to uphold the rule of law and respect constitutional and international human rights norms.
“Americans across the political spectrum are appalled by the undemocratic actions of the current administration.”