Thursday, February 5, 2026-A stark new Human Rights Watch (HRW) report warns that global human rights protections are facing a grave crisis as the world enters what it describes as a “democratic recession,” with nearly three‑quarters of the global population now living under autocratic or severely constrained systems — levels not seen since the mid‑1980s.
HRW’s World Report 2026 paints a bleak picture of democratic backsliding, calling out major powers including the United States under President Donald Trump, as well as China and Russia, for eroding the norms and institutions that sustain civil liberties, accountability, and international human rights safeguards.
In its assessment, HRW emphasizes that the Trump administration’s actions during his second term have contributed significantly to weakening democratic checks and balances and human rights protections both at home and abroad. The report details how core democratic pillars — from trust in free elections to judicial independence — have been systematically undermined, alongside attacks on free speech, immigrant rights, and protections for minorities.
It also highlights contentious policies such as deportations to countries where migrants face torture and severe mistreatment, illustrating how domestic governance decisions are reverberating globally and emboldening authoritarian practices. Combined with the continued suppression of freedoms by China and Russia, HRW argues that these trends risk dismantling the rules‑based international order that underpins human rights protections worldwide.
The report doesn’t stop at diagnosis; it urges a strategic alliance of democracies — including nations like the UK, EU states, Canada, and others — to reinvigorate commitments to human rights and counter the authoritarian surge. HRW also underscores the importance of civil society and grassroots activism, citing protests and youth movements as critical bulwarks against repression.
With human rights defenders under increased threat and democratic norms slipping, the organization’s message is clear: the world stands at a crossroads where inaction could spell further erosion of freedoms for millions, and immediate collective action is essential to protect fundamental rights.
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