A New American Report Accuses Europe of Deteriorating Human Rights While Ignoring Israeli Violations

In its annual report on human rights, the United States sharply criticized several Western European countries, accusing them of deteriorating freedoms due to laws regulating hate speech online, while ignoring Israeli violations in the Palestinian territories.

The report issued by the U.S. State Department, commissioned by Congress, was brief compared to previous reports, as it excluded clear criticisms of some Washington allies, such as El Salvador, which has close ties to the Trump administration.

The report accused Britain, France, and Germany of restricting freedom of expression by tightening censorship on online content, noting that "human rights have deteriorated in these countries as a result of restrictions on hate speech online."

In the case of Britain, the report criticized the authorities' response following a stabbing attack that targeted three girls, as they acted against users who posted information that "falsely claimed the perpetrator was an immigrant," accusing British officials of "intervening repeatedly to deter individuals from expressing their opinions."

For her part, Tammy Bruce, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated: "Regardless of the degree of disagreement with someone's speech, criminalizing or forcibly silencing it only leads to more hatred, oppression, and polarization," without explicitly mentioning Britain.

However, the report omitted mention of Israeli violations in Gaza and the West Bank, merely noting that Israel had taken "credible steps" to hold accountable those responsible for some violations, despite recording cases of "arbitrary detention and extrajudicial killings."

The report also targeted Brazil, indicating a deterioration of human rights in 2024, and criticized the restriction of access to online content deemed "opposed to democracy." It also mentioned that the situation had "significantly deteriorated" in South Africa, where Trump supported issues concerning the white minority.

In contrast, the report praised El Salvador, claiming that "there are no reliable reports of serious violations" there, despite President Nayib Bukele's security campaign, which human rights groups accused of detaining innocent people. The report also ignored allegations of mistreatment of migrants deported from the United States to Salvadoran prisons, even though some victims, like Kilmar Armando Abrigo Garcia, provided testimonies of torture.

Democratic lawmakers described the report as "a tool to promote Trump's agenda," with Gregory Meeks, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, stating: "The State Department shamelessly turned a once-reliable tool into a means to promote Trump's cultural wars."

For her part, Amanda Klasing from Amnesty International warned that the report sends a "chilling message" that Washington will overlook violations if they align with its policy.

This report comes amid accusations from critics that the Trump administration and Rubio use human rights as a "stick" to beat opponents while ignoring the violations of allies.