Trump's second term: a catastrophic 100 days for human rights – Amnesty warns of global contagion in new report

'President Trump has shown only utter contempt for universal human rights—emboldening anti-rights movements worldwide and letting corporate allies run amok’ - Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International

‘From Gaza to Belfast to the Channel, the UK is making choices that betray the values it claims to uphold. This is a defining test of whether it will stand with those defending rights—or those tearing them down’ - Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International UK’s Chief Executive

In the first 100 days of President Trump’s second term, his actions have supercharged a global rollback of human rights, undermining decades of progress and emboldening authoritarian leaders, Amnesty International warned today in its annual report on the state of human rights in 150 countries.

The organisation says the so-called “Trump effect” is accelerating a global rollback of rights, compounding damage caused by other leaders in 2024, and dragging the world deeper into an era defined by authoritarianism, impunity and unchecked corporate power.

Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, said:

“One hundred days into his second term, President Trump has shown only utter contempt for universal human rights. His government has swiftly and deliberately targeted vital US and international institutions and initiatives that were designed to make ours a safer and fairer world.

“His all-out assault on the very concepts of multilateralism, asylum, racial and gender justice, global health and life-saving climate action is exacerbating the significant damage those principles and institutions have already sustained and is further emboldening other anti-rights leaders and movements to join his onslaught.

“From seating tech billionaires in prime position at his inauguration to granting the world’s richest man unprecedented access to the US government apparatus, it appears that President Trump will let his self-serving and corporate allies run amok, without the slightest regard for human rights or even the rule of law.

“But let us be clear: this sickness runs much deeper than the actions of President Trump. For years now, we’ve witnessed a creeping spread of authoritarian practices among states the world over, fostered by aspiring and elected leaders willingly acting as engines of destruction.

“Despite daunting challenges, the destruction of human rights is far from inevitable. History abounds with examples of brave people overcoming authoritarian practices. In 2024 the people of several nations rejected anti-rights leaders at the ballot box while millions around the world raised their voices against injustice.”

A global human rights crisis is deepening. In 2024, Amnesty International documented vicious crackdowns on dissent, catastrophic armed conflicts, climate inaction, and a growing backlash against the rights of migrants, refugees, women, girls, and LGBTI people. Unless leaders reverse course, 2025 will see further deterioration on all fronts.

Across the globe, governments used authoritarian laws and practices to suppress dissent and avoid accountability. Freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly were under siege. Authorities banned media outlets, shut down NGOs, criminalised protesters and human rights defenders, and jailed critics under bogus charges of “terrorism” or “extremism.”

Mass arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and lethal force became widespread tools of repression. In Bangladesh, “shoot-on-sight” orders led to nearly 1,000 deaths during student protests. Mozambique’s disputed elections sparked a deadly crackdown, while Turkey imposed sweeping bans on demonstrations. In contrast, public resistance in South Korea forced a reversal of martial law and led to the president’s removal.

The world’s failure to uphold international humanitarian law was on full display as armed conflicts escalated. Amnesty documented Israel’s genocide in Gaza, intensifying apartheid in the West Bank, and systematic war crimes. Russia killed more Ukrainian civilians than the year before, continuing to target non-military infrastructure and commit abuses in detention.

In Sudan, the Rapid Support Forces carried out mass sexual violence against women and girls, amid the world’s largest internal displacement crisis. Yet global action remained virtually non-existent, aside from arms embargo violations. In Myanmar, the Rohingya faced racist violence, while Trump’s sweeping foreign aid cuts worsened conditions in neighbouring Thailand’s refugee camps and shuttered vital programmes in Yemen and Syria, leaving children and survivors without access to food, shelter or healthcare.

Climate failure, economic inequality and unchecked corporate power are creating a bleak future. COP29 collapsed under fossil fuel influence, while rich countries bullied low-income nations into accepting inadequate climate financing. Trump’s exit from the Paris Agreement and fossil fuel boosterism threatens to drag others with him.

Rising poverty and inequality were worsened by inflation, tax abuse and soaring debt, while scapegoating of migrants surged. Billionaires gained wealth even as global poverty reduction stalled. Women, girls and LGBTI people faced intensifying attacks: the Taliban deepened restrictions in Afghanistan, Iran cracked down on defiant women, and LGBTQ+ rights were targeted in Uganda, Georgia and Bulgaria. The Trump administration fanned the flames, cutting support for gender equality and dismantling protections for trans people and women globally.

New technologies also fuelled inequality. Governments deployed surveillance and AI to entrench discrimination. Tech giants enabled repression, and under Trump’s influence, platforms like Meta rolled back safeguards, prioritising profits over truth and safety.

Despite mounting pressure, international justice is advancing. The ICC issued arrest warrants for senior leaders in Israel, Gaza, Libya, Myanmar and Russia. The UN began drafting a treaty on crimes against humanity, and the Philippines arrested former president Duterte on an ICC warrant.

The ICJ issued multiple rulings in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel, and the UN General Assembly called for an end to Israel’s occupation. In a landmark move, eight Global South nations formed the “Hague Group” to block arms transfers to Israel and demand accountability for international law violations.

Amnesty International UK has warned that the UK is at a pivotal moment for human rights, urging the government to match its international commitments with credible action at home—or risk drifting into alignment with a growing global rollback on rights.

While the UK continues to support some international institutions, its broader direction raises serious alarm. From slashing aid budgets while increasing military spending, to continuing arms sales to Israel amid the unfolding genocide in Gaza, and rolling out punitive domestic policies that target migrants, deepen poverty, and delay justice for victims of the Northern Ireland conflict, the government is sending troubling signals.

Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International UK’s Chief Executive, said:

“This government faces a defining test of its human rights commitment. Will it stand firm on international justice and accountability—or fall in step with the growing tide of anti-rights regimes?

“Keir Starmer is a human rights lawyer. That background should carry weight—especially now, when principled leadership on rights is more essential than ever. The government must not appease those who seek to erode the foundations of justice and dignity.

“From continuing arms transfers during an active genocide to pursuing immigration policies rooted in cruelty and deterrence, the UK risks forfeiting any claim to moral leadership. At home, it is entrenching hardship through regressive welfare policies and abandoning promises to those still waiting for justice from the Troubles.

“This is a defining test. From Gaza to Belfast to the Channel, the UK is making choices that betray the values it claims to uphold. The government can stand with those defending rights—or with those tearing them down. There is no middle ground.”