Rubio secretary – not too late to give priority to human rights

Pending legitimate declineLast week it marked a turning point in US foreign policy away from securing and defense of human rights. As part of a scheduled reorganization, about 80 % of employees in the Office of the Republic of Republic, Human Rights and Labor at the US Department of Foreign Affairs are expected to be put on administrative leave and the US and Human Rights organizations in the US and around the world have begun to receive notifications that All but two grants granted for the current year have been canceled.

These drastic cuts, if implemented, have no strategy and foresight, and contrary to public messages, the vast majority of these programs have nothing to do with any “awakening” agenda. Instead, many of these programs are designed to protect fundamental freedoms. These cuts would put America on the back as it faces challenges from countries that violate rights such as China, North Korea, Russia and Iran.

Many Americans want to eliminate wasteful expenses. However, the mandate to reduce waste is not a directive to establish national security. The usual Americans are worthy of knowing that the types of programs that are diminishing weakening America and undermine our ability to deal with excited opponents.

I just returned from a trip to South Korea, where I met with incredible leaders to civil society dedicated to the defense of human rights in North Korea and holding the Kim regime. Many of the grants are funding costly efficient and rescue efforts to access information that educates the usual North Koreans on US goodness and the truth about the outside world. The North Koreans who have let North Korea recognize worldwide that access to information was what prompted them to escape in the first place. US has already downgraded critical information access attempts Asia radio which ended radio broadcasts in North Korea in late April. This blank information is behind the Chinese Communist Party and North Korea floods with information in favor of China by other means. Other grants fund the research on forced labor programs of the Kim regime. Forced labor serves as A critical source of funding setting the status of private funds And it can even be used to develop regime weapons – including weapons that can be used to hit the mainland US in other words, these grants have made the US national security. Without substantial support, many of these organizations will not exist by the end of the year.

Similarly, some of the most important human rights organizations facing the malignant influence of the CCP will also be seriously affected. Bethany Allen at Australia’s Institute of Strategic Policy covered this issue in great detail when “work orders” were issued and grants were temporarily suspended earlier this year, warning that Many groups may face extinction If the cuts proceed. Suffice it to say that some of the most important organizations that support basic freedoms for Hong Kong, Uyghurs, Tibetan and others who are prosecuted by the CCP will be reduced if they have not come into force if things go as planned. Among other valuable reasons, these groups are often a critical source of information in the US government and civil society for the CCP. Losing access to these resources at the same time, the US is increasing efforts to tackle CCP is counterproductive and possibly obsolete in US foreign policy.

It is fair to ask why these organizations do not have more differently funding flows. But to say simply, the private sector has very often found funding for human rights programs to be In contrast to her financial interests And the desire to access the market, especially when it comes to China.

And there the US has historically come. The US is the only country on the planet with its technical skills and capacity, historical participation and funding to support human rights efforts.

This means nothing about the loss of institutional ability. Many of the personnel of the Foreign Ministry who can be cut have saved countless lives. They have burned midnight oil to ensure the liberalization of political prisoners, rescued and provided safe refuge to political dissidents in closed societies, promoting US interests. These people deserve promotions and must be honored for their public service, not removed and removed from the career devoted to the American people and promote the cause of freedom.

If the cuts in these critical Asia programs are any indicator, these measures will not only hinder the global efforts of civil society to protect and defend human rights, they may end them, at least, as we know them. In addition to a quick change in the course, generations of people around the world will feel the objections and impact of these decisions for the coming years.

So what can be done?

First, the Rubio secretary has the power to change lessons at all times. The legacy of Congress of human rights promotion and freedom hangs on balance and that the heritage is in danger of being permanently tarnished. The legacy of Trump’s administration to promote human rights through the promotion of religious freedom on the first term hangs on balance. At least, funding for grants for 2025 should be restored, as organizations are based on these budgets to continue their activities by the end of the year. Critical staff in DRL should also be maintained. Some programs in DRL, no doubt, can and should be strategically reduced, but rejection of almost all pre -existing human rights planning is like cutting a end and waiting for US foreign policy to be able to operate.

Secondly, Congress must act. As a conservative administration, a Decision to move away from Reagan’s peace through example of political power which recognizes the core values ​​of the possession of both strong national defense and a strong tool for the defense of human rights, is worth a serious question. The inheritance and success of peace through power is in itself, and one of these successful policies requires excuse. In addition, Congress has historically led to human rights and this means that many programs managed by DRL are mandatory and available Congress. Congress must stand on its territory to ensure the continuation of these programs and work tirelessly for proper funding next year to try at least to mitigate some of the damage from the proposed cuts.

Finally, individuals and the private sector must accelerate to fill the gap. Now, not next year, it is time to be generous to support the organizations of civil society in need. Their continued existence may depend on it.

I have faith in the resilience of the ability of civil society to overcome this storm. But leaving so many teams in the explosion without funding and technical support from the US is incredibly subsequent. As Ronald Reagan rightly said, “Freedom is never more than a generation away from disappearance.” It may not happen on our watch.