New US Rules Challenge Diversity Policies as Human Rights Violations

Sat Nov 22 2025 02:09:13 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Trump administration introduces controversial rules that categorize diversity, equity, and inclusion policies as human rights infringements, sparking debates on global human rights and ideological goals.

A significant policy shift by the Trump administration has led to new US State Department rules that classify countries enforcing diversity policies as violating human rights. These guidelines mark a departure from established human rights protections and are seen as an attempt to enforce a domestic agenda on a global scale. Critics argue that this redefinition of human rights is politically motivated, targeting issues like diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as other progressive policies.

Countries enforcing race or gender diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies will now be at risk of the Trump administration deeming them as infringing on human rights.

The State Department is issuing the new rules to all US embassies and consulates involved in compiling its annual report on global human rights abuses.

The new instructions also deem countries that subsidise abortion or facilitate mass migration as infringing on human rights.

The changes, which the State Department says are intended to stop 'destructive ideologies', have been condemned by rights campaigners who argue the Trump administration is re-defining long-established human rights principles to pursue ideological goals.

These rules reflect a major strategic shift in Washington's focus on global human rights, integrating foreign policy with the Trump administration's domestic agenda. A senior state department official stated that these rules represent 'a tool to change the behaviour of governments'.

Policies previously designed to promote equity are now being labelled as human rights violations, with critics accusing the administration of serious missteps that could harm minority rights globally.

Subsidising abortions, including the number of annual abortions.
Gender-transition surgery for minors, described by the State Department using controversial language.
Facilitating illegal migration across borders.
Limiting free speech through official restrictions.

Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott emphasized that these instructions aim to mitigate human rights abuses, insisting that practices deemed abusive will be actively opposed by the administration. Meanwhile, critics warn that these decisions reflect a dangerous political agenda that undermines widely accepted human rights protections.