In response to President Trump’s address to the United Nations General Assembly today, Amnesty International USA’s Executive Director Paul O’Brien made the following statement:
“In his address to global leaders, President Trump doubled down on anti-immigrant attacks, boasted about extrajudicial killings, and denied validity of the global climate crisis. His speech was not only riddled with harmful lies, particularly about immigrants and asylum seekers, but also promoted actions that threaten human rights.
“Trump shamelessly attacked the UN’s commitment to upholding the rights of migrants and urged all leaders, particularly of European nations, to follow his lead and close their borders. In a twist of words, he claimed to be saving lives by turning those seeking safety away from the U.S. border instead of the truth – that his policies are violating the human right to seek asylum.
“President Trump did say “let us defend free speech and free expression”, but his attacks on freedom of expression speak louder than his words. For example, he has publicly encouraged the FCC to take action against media commentators and comedians who challenge him and has sought to deport individuals for protesting for the rights of Palestinians. A line in a speech doesn’t change that.
“Trump also boasted about his administration’s other human rights violations, from the recent extrajudicial killings off the coast of Venezuela to his militarized takeover of law enforcement in Washington, D.C. These dangerous actions are hallmarks of authoritarian practices that create a climate of intimidation, reinforce systemic racism, and increase the risk of unlawful use of force.
“As President Trump attacks human rights at the domestic and international level – including suppressing dissent and squashing freedom of expression, demonizing and targeting immigrants – his speech reflects the trend under his leadership of the United States undermining or retreating from international institutions that exist to safeguard human rights and hold governments, including the U.S., accountable.”
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