A recent survey conducted by China Media Group, CGTN, and Renmin University of China through the New Era International Communication Research Institute has revealed widespread global disappointment with the United States' human rights record. Targeting 7,671 respondents from 38 countries, the poll highlights significant concerns over U.S. policies and practices.
The survey comes in the wake of the U.S. withdrawing from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), a move perceived by many as a further assertion of American hegemony. An overwhelming 86.8 percent of respondents believe the U.S. suffers from a severe gun violence problem, while 73 percent point to serious drug abuse issues. Additionally, 61.9 percent feel that U.S. immigration policies fail to protect immigrants' rights and interests.
Systemic racial discrimination remains a top concern, with 72.3 percent of participants identifying it as a significant problem in the U.S. Furthermore, 84.9 percent feel that the U.S. is unable to effectively control police violence stemming from racism.
The survey also critiques the U.S. tendency to use human rights as a pretext for international intervention. A striking 61.3 percent view the U.S. as the most war-prone country globally, and 70.1 percent believe that U.S.-initiated wars have caused significant humanitarian crises. The vast majority, 91.98 percent, contend that U.S. foreign military sales undermine world peace, with 93.88 percent seeing these sales as a guise for stirring global conflicts to profit from wars.
From the perspective of the new U.S. administration, international human rights appear to be merely tools for maintaining global dominance. The survey indicates that 72.5 percent of respondents consider the U.S. a domineering country, and 64.9 percent criticize the U.S. for using human rights as an excuse to suppress other nations. Moreover, 81.4 percent express disappointment over the U.S.'s reluctance to take on the responsibilities of a major power, and 85.2 percent believe that the U.S.'s withdrawal from the UNHRC severely undermines the multilateral international order centered around the United Nations.
The respondents, ranging in age from 18 to 55 and above, hailed from diverse regions including East Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, South America, North America, Oceania, and Africa. A majority held a college degree or higher (67.2 percent) and had a medium or higher personal income level (71.3 percent).
Reference(s):
CGTN poll: U.S. hegemony criticized for overriding human rights
cgtn.com
