(Washington) – The U.S. government’s steep cuts to virtually all foreign aid in 2025 have harmed the global human rights movement and countless people at risk, Human Rights Watch said in a 42-page report released today.
This report, titled “Every Autocrat’s Dream: A Global Snapshot of the Human Rights Harms of US Foreign Aid Cuts,” examines the immediate consequences of these budget cuts on the work of rights defenders around the world Investigations into abuses have been interrupted, support for victims has been sharply reduced, and organizations which contributed to the prevention of violations have been forced to limit or sometimes even cease their activities.
« The US government’s withdrawal of support for the global human rights movement was a blessing for autocrats », declared Sarah Yager, director of the Washington bureau of Human Rights Watch. «ÂCuts in foreign aid have made it more difficult to document human rights violations, protect threatened communities, and bring perpetrators to justice. »
The United States government was the largest donor to human rights initiatives around the world for decades, until the Trump administration dismantled U.S. foreign aid between January and March 2025. Although some programs did The subject of legitimate criticism, the sudden and massive reductions in foreign aid have had immediate harmful effects on a global scale.
Human Rights Watch has examined the impact of these budget cuts on media freedom, access to information, and digital security; on the fight against discrimination and targeted violence; as well as on justice, accountability and the rule of law. This overview includes case studies from 16 countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, North Korea, Georgia, Guatemala, Haiti, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Democratic Republic of Congo, El Salvador, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Venezuela.
These case studies focus on the weeks and months immediately following the aid cuts, and aim to illustrate the human rights implications of decisions made by the Trump administration in various contexts.
Although no government is required to provide foreign aid, the manner in which the United States ended such assistance has caused foreseeable harm, requiring accountability, Human Rights Watch said. The US Congress should demand an independent review to assess the human rights implications of aid cuts and program cuts planned for 2025, and restore human rights funding in future budget laws. Lawmakers, other donor countries and the philanthropic sector should act urgently to rebuild support for the global human rights movement in a sustainable and rights-respecting manner.
« By ending funding so quickly and drastically, the US government has taken away crucial lifelines for many people facing abuse. », concluded Sarah Yager. «ÂThe resilience of human rights organizations in the face of rising authoritarianism and global crises has been extraordinary; however, their determination cannot replace lasting support. »
