Trump administration reviews human rights' role in US policy

Source: Associated Press


Eric Tucker, Associated Press
Updated 3:51 pm CDT, Monday, July 8, 2019

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration said Monday that it will review the role of human rights in American foreign policy, appointing a commission expected to elevate concerns about religious freedom and abortion.

Human rights groups accused the administration of politicizing foreign policy in a way that could undermine protections for marginalized populations, including the gay, lesbian and transgender community. Democratic senators have raised concerns about the panel's intent and composition, fearing it would consist of members who "hold views hostile to women's rights" and blow away existing standards and definitions.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the creation of the Commission on Unalienable Rights, saying the country must be "vigilant that human rights discourse not be corrupted or hijacked or used for dubious or malignant purposes." As human rights claims have "proliferated," he said, nations are in conflict about what constitutes a human right and which rights should be respected and treated as valid.

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Amnesty International USA said there was no reason for such a review given the decades-old protections in place, while the American Civil Liberties Union said "taxpayer resources would be better spent assessing the administration's failure to meet basic human rights obligations, rather than redefining those rights."

Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/article/Trump-administration-reviews-human-rights-role-14078962.php