US Human Rights Advocacy in the Age of Trump
By Risa Kaufman, Columbia Law School Human Rights Institute
Human rights and social justice advocates are still reeling from the election and assessing what, exactly, a Trump administration will bring. Conversations with colleagues around the country underscore our alarm, and also our resolve.
Trump’s campaign rhetoric and his initial nominations for key appointments have triggered high alert. His campaign statements and proposed policies, if enacted, gravely threaten the rights of so many. Trump’s disdain and disregard for core human rights norms such as equality and non-discrimination; his campaign’s (and some of his nominees’ and advisors’) embrace of racist, misogynist, Islamophobic, homophobic rhetoric and proposals; and his support from anti-internationalist and white nationalist groups are all cause for deep concern about a Trump administration’s respect for human rights and engagement (or non-engagement) with international and regional human rights systems.
While there is still so much that is unknown at this point, at least one thing is certain: strong, coordinated, and strategic U.S. human rights advocacy has never been more relevant and necessary.
U.S. advocates have a deep history of engaging international human rights to mobilize and fight against rights violations at home. And they have long understood the value of leveraging international pressure to affect change within the United States. As Katherine Sikkink reminds us, domestic advocacy paired with international pressure were key in the fight for civil rights and to end Jim Crow. More recently, they played a critical role in exposing and curbing the Bush Administration’s policies and practices on torture and rendition (though accountability remains an ongoing battle).
As we find our way in this disorienting new environment, I offer three thoughts on the relevance and direction of our efforts in the years ahead:
- State and local human rights efforts are more important than ever.
Already, cities around the country are standing up to the incoming Administration, declaring themselves to be Human Rights Cities and Sanctuary Cities, and pledging to protect their residents from harmful policies and practices. Some are developing local ordinances implementing human rights standards, such as those found in CEDAW, into local policies. Officials throughout state and local government have a role to play here. And they need not start from scratch. Mayors, state and local human rights commissions, and city councils, among others, have already forged a path. Advocates play a key role in urging the localization of human rights and working with local officials to make it a reality.
- We need to cultivate deeper and more genuine transnational collaboration.
Human rights defenders around the world operate in dangerous conditions and face increasing threats and closing space for their work. U.S. advocates have much to learn from our international colleagues, and must seek out and develop genuine opportunities for transnational collaboration to fight for human rights here at home and across the globe.
- We must stand with and support impacted communities.
Vulnerable individuals and communities are under significant threat in the United States. These include people of color, women, people with disabilities, Muslims, LGBTQI people, immigrant populations, and people living in poverty. So, too, are people who live outside the United States, and who are impacted by its actions and policies. In this post-election climate, we are reminded of the critical need, now and always, for U.S. human rights advocates to work in partnership and stand in solidarity with communities and individuals, and to support their organizing and advocacy work as they resist, oppose, and defend against actions and policies that threaten human rights.
U.S. human rights advocates and the larger social justice community are on high alert. And we are prepared.