A new U.S. State Department report on global human rights will no longer include sections covering LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, disability rights, discrimination against Indigenous communities, or government corruption, Politico reports. The omissions appear to align with the administration’s recent executive orders eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives from federal government policies.
The annual report is widely read by governments, advocacy groups, and legal professionals worldwide, serving as a crucial resource for evaluating political developments, humanitarian aid needs, and asylum applications for individuals fleeing persecution.
Key Omissions in the Report
Previously, the LGBTQ+ section covered issues such as physical harm, persecution, freedom of expression, and transgender rights. This section has been entirely removed.
Similarly, the section dedicated to women’s rights, which addressed topics including reproductive rights, forced intercourse, domestic violence, female genital mutilation, and workplace discrimination, has been scrapped. The only remaining reference to women’s rights appears to be a vague mention of “coercion in population control,” though its details remain unclear.
In place of the removed sections, the new report will include expanded content on religious freedom, certain workers’ rights, human trafficking, child labor, and refugee protections.
Andrea Prasow, executive director of Freedom Now, a political prisoner advocacy organisation, raised concerns about the credibility of the revised report.
“There’s a real question about the value of this report coming out under the [current] administration. Is it accurate? Is it politically motivated? Will it only describe human rights abuses by enemies instead of allies?” Prasow questioned.
Other Anti-LGBTQ+ Measures Under Rubio’s State Department
The removal of LGBTQ+ protections from the human rights report is just one of several controversial decisions made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio since taking office.
Shortly after his appointment, Rubio halted all passport applications requesting gender marker changes, a move that puts transgender, nonbinary, and intersex individuals at greater risk when travelling. This policy change has been met with strong opposition, with 82 House Democrats signing a letter urging the administration to reverse it.
Additionally, Rubio has terminated U.S. funding for international HIV prevention programs, which could have devastating consequences for millions worldwide. He has also expressed plans to implement a permanent ban preventing transgender athletes from entering the United States.
These actions highlight a broader trend of the administration rolling back protections for LGBTQ+ individuals and other marginalized groups, raising concerns about the U.S. government’s commitment to human rights on a global scale.
