A controversial push by the outgoing administration aims to redirect a significant portion of the State Department’s human rights funding toward politically charged initiatives, including grants for anti-communist efforts, a group promoting white Afrikaner rights in South Africa, and campaigns targeting Brazil’s judiciary. The proposed allocations, totaling over $175 million, have drawn sharp criticism for allegedly prioritizing conservative and right-wing causes over traditional human rights priorities, while risking diplomatic tensions with allies. Among the most contentious awards is a $40 million fund for anti-communist programs, alongside support for groups defending "western civilizational norms" in Europe. With funding set to expire soon, the move raises questions about shifting U.S. foreign policy priorities under the current leadership.
Support for white Afrikaners, anti-communism and others reveals how US redefining what qualifies as human rightsWith hours left before the funding expires, the Trump administration is pushing to direct more than $175m of the state department’s flagship human rights fund to a slate of awards that includes a huge $40m grant for an anti-communism fund, support for a group advancing white Afrikaner rights in South Africa, a campaign against Brazil’s supreme court, and programs that would reward ideological allies in Europe who protect “western civilizational norms”.Critics have focused on 43 awards of a combined $176.9m that will bolster rightwing and conservative causes around the world while probably angering US allies over interference in internal politics. The Guardian has seen a sample of the controversial grants, which make up most of the $205m in funding that Congress has appropriated for the entire human rights and democracy fund (HRDF). Continue reading...
