Basic human rights in the US are under threat as the country's new administration rolls back previous policies to combat discrimination, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said on Monday.
Türk's remarks to the United Nations Human Rights Council come as second-time US President Donald Trump has signed scores of executive orders touching on issues such as transgender and civil rights, as well as foreign policy.
Trump disengaged from the Human Rights Council in February as he moves to reduce the US' involvement in bodies seeking to promote international cooperation.
Gender equality, media and institutions in danger in the US
"We have enjoyed bipartisan support from the United States of America on human rights over many decades," Türk said.
"I am now deeply worried by the fundamental shift in direction that is taking place domestically and internationally," he went on, adding that "policies intended to protect people from discrimination are now labeled as discriminatory."
Türk said progress on gender equality in the US was being reversed, while independent media and institutions were endangered amid "disinformation, intimidation and threats, notably against journalists and public officials."
He also noted that "divisive rhetoric is being used to distort, deceive and polarize," which was "generating fear and anxiety among many."
Source: DW
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
