Human Rights Watch encourages leaders to decry populists

Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Political leaders who fight for human rights principles could limit populist agendas, Human Rights Watch said in its 2018 World Report.

The 28th edition of the organization's World Report reviewed human rights practices in more than 90 countries in the past year -- calling on political leaders to fight what the organization calls "authoritarian populist agendas."

"The past year showed the importance of pushing back against the threat posed by demagogues and their abusive policies," Executive Director Kenneth Roth said. "As we mark the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 2018, the best way to honor its principles is to vigorously defend them against those leaders who seek political advantage by depriving marginalized groups of the rights guaranteed for all."

The Human Rights Watch cited France as the most prominent example of a successful resistance to xenophobic politics, saying President Emmanuel Macron "embraced democratic principles" and "opposed the National Front's campaign of hatred against Muslims and immigrants."

The organization also accused U.S. President Donald Trump of pursuing "anti-immigrant, racially divisive, and pro-drug-war policies." Human Rights Watch said civic groups, journalists, lawyers, judges, and even elected members of Trump's own party have brought widespread resistance against his policies.

According to the report, authoritarian populist governments have seen resistance in the past year, with public protests in Central Europe and also with people taking to the streets to protest President Nicolás Maduro's efforts to overhaul Venezuela's government and economy.

Roth warned about the retreat of governments that might champion human rights, including the United States and Britain, saying their hesitancy to deal with the influence of xenophobic populism diminished their influence in countries like Syria, Yemen and Burma.

"The central lesson of the past year is that human rights can be protected from populist challenge," Roth said. "What's needed is a principled defense rather than surrender, a call to action rather than a cry of despair."

World Report 2018 in Numbers - What's the status of human rights where you live? https://t.co/9QovYP2Z9A #Rights2018 pic.twitter.com/mrc5oea5Lp

- Zama Neff (@ZamaHRW) January 18, 2018