A United Nations-backed panel of independent experts has accused US President Donald Trump and other American political leaders of engaging in racist hate speech, which, alongside a crackdown on immigration, has led to "grave human rights violations" in the United States.
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), based in Geneva, issued its decision on Wednesday, urging the US to immediately suspend immigration enforcement operations at and near schools, hospitals, and faith-based institutions. While the decision, made under the committee's early warning protocol, is not legally binding, it aims to hold the US accountable to its international commitments.
The committee expressed its "deep disturbance" regarding the use of derogatory and dehumanising language directed at migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Members attributed a reported rise in racial discrimination to "racist hate speech" targeting these groups, though they did not cite specific data. Beyond speech, concerns were also raised about politicians and public figures weaponising stereotypes to incite hate crimes and discrimination.
