Five key points on how a long-respected US human rights report became a ‘cudgel’ under Trump

The state departments ‘human rights’ report under Trump differs hugely from those of previous administrations

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n May, Donald Trump took to the stage at a business conference in Saudi Arabia’s capital, promising that the US would no longer chastise other governments over human rights issues or lecture them on “how to live and how to govern your own affairs”.

With the release this week of the US government’s annual report on human rights worldwide, the president has – in part – followed though on that pledge.

The report – compiled by the state department – softens its criticism of nations that have sought closer ties with the US president, while alleging “significant” human rights breaches among traditional allies across Europe, all while vastly scaling back criticism of discrimination against minority groups.