What Worries Human Rights Advocates Most?

At the ABA annual meeting this month, panelists were asked to opine on what effect the "America First" policies of the current administration are having on human rights advocates.  The speakers were part of a panel "International Human Rights: Law and Policy in the Trump Administration". 

One panelist, Elisa Massamino of Harvard's Carr Center for Human Rights, noted that there is nothing inherently wrong with an "America First" policy, but the underlying concern is President Trump's refusal to accept a rule-based world order.  She noted that the administration has stepped out of the Human Rights Council and is discontinuing State Department Human Rights Reports. 

Mary Meg McCarthy of the Heartland Alliance's National Immigrant Justice Center commented on the administrations disregard of due process for immigrants and refugees.  She said "What we're seeing is a brutality, a brazenness, a mean-spirited process that seeks to dehumanize noncitizens and persons of color."

Other comments of human rights concerns are worth reading.  In addition, the panelists commented on  bright spots coming out of the resistance, including lawyers showing up at airports during the travel ban.  You may read more here.