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American democracy cannot safeguard human rights in the U.S.

Published

3 years ago

April 4, 2023

By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily

China’s State Council Information Office on March 28 issued The Report on Human Rights Violations in the United States in 2022. With massive facts and statistics, the report exposes unrelenting human rights violations in the U.S

The report says the year 2022 witnessed a landmark setback for U.S. human rights. In the U.S., a country labeling itself a “human rights defender,” “chronic diseases” such as money politics, racial discrimination, gun and police violence, and wealth polarization are rampant. Human rights legislation and justice have seen an extreme retrogression, further undermining the basic rights and freedoms of the American people.

Facts have profoundly revealed that American democracy cannot safeguard the human rights of people in the U.S.

U.S. politicians declared that human rights are universal and that they won’t brush aside the human rights problems of America. However, in the 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices released by the U.S. Department of State recently, the country ignores its own issues of human rights but points fingers at nearly 200 countries and regions for their human rights situation.

The report issued by China, with ironclad facts, exposes the “diseases” of the U.S. human rights－a dysfunctional civil rights protection system, hollowed-out American-style electoral democracy, growing racial discrimination and inequality, worsening subsistence crisis among U.S. underclass, historic retrogression in women’s and children’s rights, as well as wanton violation of other countries’ human rights and trampling on justice. It is a great textbook for U.S. politicians who need to study more about the problems of human rights in their own country.

The hollowed-out American democracy cannot solve the systemic human rights problems that have long existed in the U.S.

At present, American democracy is being rotted because of political donations, dark money donations, voting obstacles as well as violence and intimidation that accompany its elections. Billionaires and interest groups can easily manipulate the direction of elections, while the will of the people can barely be turned into governance decisions.

The insoluble problem of gun violence is an example. Though most American citizens request gun control, the gun control agenda has been paralyzed due to the manipulation by interest groups and the collusion between politicians and businesses.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the “Bruen case” in June 2022 overturned half a century’s gun control legislation in New York and six other states. Residents of these states were allowed to make concealed carry, a landmark backward step in the field of gun control in the U.S.

The widening ideological divide and opposition between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party have expanded the tear in American society and led to the idling of American politics, which has severely undermined civil rights.

Even the U.S. Supreme Court has been involved in partisan struggles. Last year, it ended women’s right to abortion protected by the U.S. Constitution for nearly 50 years, which landed a huge blow to women’s human rights and gender equality.

The struggle between the two parties has resulted in a “vetocracy,” and the governance efficiency of the U.S. has declined, which seriously weakens the public confidence in American democracy.

According to a poll, 69 percent of Americans believe their democracy is at “risk of collapse” and 86 percent of American voters say it faces “very serious threats.” There is a general public disillusionment of American-style democracy.

American politicians, serving the interests of oligarchs, have failed to solve the structural problems of human rights in the country. Hate crimes based on racial bias in the U.S. increased dramatically over recent years.

The racist massacre at a Buffalo supermarket in May 2022 has shocked the world. The number of Americans dying from drug and substance abuse has increased dramatically in recent years, to more than 100,000 per year. The child poverty rate in the country increased from 12.1 percent in December 2021 to 16.6 percent in May 2022, with 3.3 million more children living in poverty.

Facing these brutal facts, U.S. politicians have lost their subjective will and objective ability to respond to the basic demands of ordinary people and defend the basic rights of ordinary citizens. Instead, they have become an obstructor in eliminating chronic diseases in American human rights in the U.S.

Failing to safeguard the human rights of citizens in their own country, U.S. politicians are still provoking confrontations, division and chaos in the international community under the disguise of so-called “democracy” and “human rights.”

According to data released by Brown University, since the 21st century, the U.S. government has undertaken what it labeled “counterterrorism” activities in 85 countries, directly killing at least 929,000 people and displacing 38 million people. The U.S. military operations around the world have violated the freedom and human rights of people in the U.S. and other countries.

The U.S. is the most prolific enforcer of unilateral sanctions in the world. It currently has sanctions in place against more than 20 countries, which have greatly weakened the capacity and level of human rights protection of the sanctioned countries.

Currently, the U.S. is organizing another edition of the so-called “Summit for Democracy.” Its true intention is to maintain its hegemony by playing bloc politics and using democracy as a tool for political ends.

The international community has come to realize that U.S. politicians indeed follow power politics though they always talk about “democracy” and “human rights,” and they have become a saboteur of global peace and development and a stumbling block to human rights progress.

The U.S. is blind to its serious human rights problems and unable to solve them. However, it has pointed fingers at other countries for their human rights development, which is bound to be strongly opposed by people around the world.

The United States should let go of its arrogance and bias, face up to its serious human rights issues, reflect on the institutional source of these issues and stop its hegemonic, domineering and bullying acts that violate the human rights of other countries as early as possible.

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Kwara: Ifelodun Travellers Transport System Revived

Published

9 hours ago

August 19, 2026

Our Reporter

As Council Signs MoU With P&A Contract Ltd

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Ifelodun local Government, under the leadership of Hadji Abdulrasheed Femi Yusuf, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with P & A Contract Limited for the construction of a modern motor park in Amoyo, as the Council moves to revive the Ifelodun Travellers transport system and improve transportation within the Local Government.

Speaking during the MoU signing ceremony at the Council s Contact Office in Amoyo, the Chairman explained that the decision to construct the motor park was driven by the need for Ifelodun Local Government to establish its own transport identity, intended to ease people’s transportation problem.

He recalled that residents travelling to and from Ifelodun had, over the years, relied on transport facilities at Offa Garage and Maraba in Ilorin, stressing the need to create a dedicated transport hub that would serve the people of the Local Government.

“At some point in the history of Ifelodun Local Government, we had Ifelodun Travellers, which does not exist anymore. I don’t think there is anything wrong with bringing that identity back to the limelight. Now, we want to add value to that identity,” the Chairman said.

He added that the Council was also working with relevant stakeholders to bring in 10 units of Korope buses, which would commence operations as soon as possible.

“We are working with the NURTW, Kwara State Chapter, for guidance and to ensure that the operation runs smoothly,” he added.

The Supervisory Councillor for Works and Infrastructure Development, Mrs. Kolo Rebecca, explained that the proposed park would feature several amenities, including a garage, warehouse, 100-unit shopping complex, parking spaces and general toilets.

She said the facilities were designed to boost economic activities, improve the image of the Local Government and provide a more convenient transportation system for residents.

According to her, the initiative is also in line with the efforts of the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to take governance and development directly to the grassroots.

The contractor, Mallam Jimoh Toheeb Abolore, assured the Local Government of the prompt execution of the project, promising that the construction would meet the required standards and contribute positively to the image and development of Ifelodun Local Government.

Those in attendance included the Vice Chairman, Hon. Nike Ajibola; Secretary to the Local Government, Dr. Kamil Akorede; DPM, Mallam Ayinde Salman; LGT, Mallam Usman Waheed; Chief of Staff to the Chairman, Chief Ademola Zubair; Head of Works, Engr. Awodi Muhammad; Land officer, Tola Kadir and other Special Assistants.

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Lawyer Demands Release of Detained Kano Blogger, Maryam Shehu

Published

1 day ago

August 18, 2026

Our Reporter

By Hassan Agboola

A lawyer and human rights activist, Hamza Nuhu Dantani, has called for the immediate release of Kano-based blogger, Maryam Shehu, who he said has been in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for almost 30 days.

Dantani, in a statement on Monday, said the prolonged detention of Shehu was becoming difficult to reconcile with the rule of law and provisions of the 1999 Constitution, particularly her fundamental right to personal liberty.
He questioned why Shehu should remain in detention for nearly 30 days, particularly over an offence he described as ordinarily bailable.

“How on earth can a person be detained for almost 30 days and counting, particularly in relation to an offence that is ordinarily bailable, without meaningful consideration of her liberty and constitutional rights?” he asked.
Dantani said the EFCC’s powers to investigate did not give the commission the right to detain a suspect indefinitely, punish her before trial or disregard her fundamental rights.

He also criticised the alleged practice of photographing persons in EFCC custody and publishing their images online while they remain presumed innocent.
Citing Section 36(5) of the Constitution, Dantani said the law guarantees the presumption of innocence until a suspect is proven guilty by a competent court.

He warned that publicly portraying suspects as criminals before trial could amount to subjecting them to public punishment and humiliation.
“The EFCC is a law-enforcement institution. It must therefore be the first institution to demonstrate obedience to law. It cannot demand respect for law from citizens while appearing to disregard constitutional safeguards itself,” he said.

Dantani urged the commission to either charge Shehu before a competent court if it has credible evidence against her or release her immediately
.
“We call on EFCC to respect the Constitution, respect presumption of innocence and respect fundamental right to personal liberty. Investigation is not conviction. Detention is not punishment. And an allegation is not guilt,” he said.

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s Comment on Lionel Messi’s Tribute to His Dad Becomes Most-Liked Instagram Comment

Published

1 day ago

August 18, 2026

Our Reporter

By Fabian Apechihin

Cristiano Ronaldo’s heartfelt message to Lionel Messi following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, has reportedly become the most-liked comment in Instagram history.

Jorge Messi died on August 7 in Rosario, Argentina, aged 68. Five days later, Messi paid tribute to his late father in an emotional Instagram post featuring a photo of the pair.

In the post, Messi wrote, “Te amo, pa” — meaning “I love you, Dad” — alongside a lengthy tribute reflecting on his father’s influence and the pain of losing him.

Among the many reactions from fans, celebrities and fellow footballers was a message from Ronaldo.

“Un abrazo enorme para ti y los tuyos en estos duros momentos, Leo. Mucha fuerza,” Ronaldo wrote, which translates to: “A huge hug to you and yours in these tough times, Leo. Much strength.”

Ronaldo’s comment reportedly attracted more than 6.86 million likes and over 86,000 comments, making it the most-liked comment on Instagram.

The previous record was also held by Ronaldo, whose comment on Kylian Mbappé’s announcement of his move to Real Madrid reportedly received more than five million likes.

Other football stars also expressed their condolences to Messi. Neymar Jr.’s message, translated as “Much strength for you and your family. Big hug,” reportedly received more than 1.6 million likes, while David Beckham’s comment expressing support for Messi and his family attracted more than 300,000 likes.

In his tribute, Messi described his father’s death as difficult to comprehend, saying he struggled to accept that he would no longer see or speak with him.

Messi also recalled how his father had encouraged him to play at the 2026 World Cup despite his deteriorating health. He said his father had hoped to watch him compete and had planned to travel if his condition improved.

According to Messi, he had promised his father that Argentina would reach the final so he could be there. Although Argentina reached the final, his father was unable to attend.

Reflecting on the loss, Messi said he had wanted to win the tournament and bring the trophy to his father but ultimately struggled physically during the competition.

The emotional tribute highlighted the close bond between Messi and his father and the profound impact of his loss on the football superstar.