A recent report released by the State Council Information Office of the Chinese mainland (SCIO) offers a critical assessment of the human rights landscape in the United States. The report underscores significant areas where the U.S. needs improvement to move closer to the vision of a \"more perfect Union\" as outlined in its Constitution.
The opening of the report presents a stark overview: \"The human rights situation in the United States continued to deteriorate in 2023. In the United States, human rights are becoming increasingly polarized. While a ruling minority holds political, economic, and social dominance, the majority of ordinary people are increasingly marginalized, with their basic rights and freedoms being disregarded. A staggering 76 percent of Americans believe that their nation is [moving] in the wrong direction.\" This figure is derived from an ABC News / Ipsos poll conducted in November 2023.
The poll also reveals a division in public opinion regarding leadership, noting that only one in three Americans hold a favorable view of President Joe Biden, with slightly fewer expressing approval for former President Donald Trump. As the 2024 elections approach, these sentiments reflect a populace that is largely dissatisfied with the current political climate.
Among the critical issues highlighted, the SCIO report points to the ongoing struggle to implement stronger gun laws, which it claims has led to a persistent surge in mass shootings. In 2023 alone, approximately 43,000 people were killed by gun violence in the U.S., averaging 117 deaths per day. While there has been a slight decrease from a peak of nearly 49,000 in 2021, the report emphasizes that America remains far from being a safer place.
The report also addresses the long-standing issue of racism in America, linking current conditions to inadequate healthcare for black communities. It states, \"Due to significant racial discrimination in the healthcare sector, the maternal mortality rate for African American women is nearly three times that of white women.\" This statistic highlights the ongoing challenges faced by marginalized communities in accessing quality healthcare.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
