State Department official rips ‘misleading’ NPR on human rights abuses report

The State Department is facing criticism over its recent changes to the process of reporting human rights abuses, but officials are pushing back against claims that the Trump administration is scaling back annual reports to inform congressional decisions on foreign aid allocation. According to NPR, the 2024 Human Rights Report has been restructured to remove redundancy, increase readability, and refocus on human rights abuses rather than politically biased demands.

A senior State Department official emphasized that the modifications are essential for streamlining the report, maintaining consistency with U.S. statutes, and highlighting human rights issues without political bias. The restructuring aims to ensure that the reports align with legislative mandates under both Republican and Democratic administrations, reflecting a commitment to promoting respect for human rights globally.

Reports from NPR and Politico suggested that the 2024 Human Rights Report would no longer include references to diversity, equity, inclusion, discrimination, or abuse against the LGBTQ+ community. This has raised concerns among human rights advocates, with Amnesty International USA criticizing the changes as a signal that the U.S. is stepping back from pressuring other countries to uphold fundamental rights and freedoms.

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo previously highlighted a “proliferation of human rights” as a global issue during the Trump administration’s first term. He emphasized a return to the principles outlined in America’s founding documents, focusing on rights such as freedom of speech, assembly, and expression.

Under Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s leadership during Trump’s second term, the closure of the State Department’s Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (R/FIMI) – formerly known as the Global Engagement Center (GEC) – was announced. Rubio criticized the center for allegedly silencing and censoring American voices, leading to its shutdown.

Despite the controversy surrounding the changes to the Human Rights Report, the State Department maintains that the restructuring aims to enhance the report’s effectiveness, readability, and focus on human rights abuses. The department’s commitment to upholding human rights and promoting global respect for fundamental freedoms remains unchanged, irrespective of the adjustments made to the reporting process.