news.volyx.in

US axes website for reporting human rights abuses by US-armed foreign forces (bbc.com)

773 points by tartoran · 275 days ago · 411 comments on HN

Article summary

The US State Department has removed an online portal for reporting alleged human rights violations by foreign military units supplied with American weapons. The Human Rights Reporting Gateway was established in 2022 to facilitate the receipt of information on gross violations of human rights by military units supplied by the US. The removal of the portal has been condemned by human rights campaigners and a senior congressional aide who drafted the law requiring it. The State Department insists it is still abiding by the law and receiving reports of human rights abuses.

Main themes

  • Human Rights
  • US Foreign Policy
  • Government Transparency
  • Military Aid
  • Accountability

What commenters say

  • The removal of the human rights reporting portal is a clear indication that the US government no longer cares about human rights and is instead prioritizing its own interests.
  • The portal was likely ineffective and its removal is a minor issue, as the US government has never truly prioritized human rights in its foreign policy decisions.
  • The removal of the portal will lead to a lack of accountability for human rights abuses committed by US-armed foreign military units, and will embolden these units to continue committing atrocities.
  • The US government's actions are a reflection of its true values, which prioritize power and self-interest over human rights and dignity.
  • The removal of the portal is part of a larger trend of the US government becoming more transparent about its disregard for human rights and international law.
  • The portal's removal will not deter journalists and human rights organizations from reporting on and exposing human rights abuses, and may even lead to more scrutiny of the US government's actions.
  • The US government's decision to remove the portal is a strategic move to avoid being held accountable for the actions of its allies and to maintain its influence over them.
  • The removal of the portal is a symptom of a broader problem of impunity and lack of accountability in the US government's foreign policy decisions.