"Trumpian Rhetoric Spreads Fear and Intimidation Across Eastern Europe"
As language used by President Donald Trump and his government to slash US-funded foreign aid is being adopted by other governments to attack NGOs and independent media, rights groups warn that civil society is under threat.
Trumpian Rhetoric
Trump administration statements "are being weaponised in real-time by autocrats and dictators across Eastern and Southeastern Europe to justify and deepen their crackdown on independent media, NGOs, and human rights defenders," Dave Elseroad, of the Human Rights House Foundation, told AFP.
Verbal Ammunition
In some countries, the verbal ammunition comes on top of a sudden funding gap wrought by the dismantling of USAID, which is hitting the NGO sector hard. USAID had been providing funding to a vast array of independent organisations in countries like Hungary where such groups have been "financially suffocated domestically," Ligeti told AFP.
Policy of Repression
In some countries, there is a direct line between utterances in Washington and action to undermine civil society. Georgia’s disputed parliament for instance passed this week a direct copy of a US law on "foreign agents," which observers warn could be turned against NGOs receiving foreign funding.
Escalating Attempts
The UN rights office in Geneva slammed "escalating attempts worldwide to weaken and harm domestic and international human rights systems, including defunding and delegitimising civil society." It said that "it is all the more worrying to see these trends also emerging in established democracies."
Conclusion
The spread of Trumpian rhetoric across Eastern Europe is a cause for concern, as it may lead to further intimidation and repression of civil society and independent media. The adoption of such language by other governments may also undermine democratic norms and institutions, allowing for the erosion of human rights and the suppression of dissent.
FAQs
Q: What is Trumpian rhetoric?
A: Trumpian rhetoric refers to the language and tone used by President Donald Trump and his government, which is often characterised by its strong and divisive nature.
Q: How is Trumpian rhetoric being used against NGOs and independent media?
A: Trumpian rhetoric is being used to justify and deepen the crackdown on independent media, NGOs, and human rights defenders in various countries across Eastern and Southeastern Europe.
Q: What are the implications of the spread of Trumpian rhetoric?
A: The spread of Trumpian rhetoric may lead to further intimidation and repression of civil society and independent media, as well as the erosion of human rights and the suppression of dissent.