What's happened
As of February 2026, a new Human Rights Watch report reveals a global decline in democracy, with 72% of the world’s population living under autocratic regimes. Sudan’s civil war has intensified gender-based violence and famine, while Uganda faces systematic sexual violence and political repression. The US, China, and Russia are criticized for eroding human rights and weakening international institutions.
What's behind the headline?
Global Democratic Decline and Human Rights Erosion
The Human Rights Watch report underscores a stark regression in global democratic freedoms, with autocracy now governing nearly three-quarters of the world’s population. This erosion is not isolated but systemic, driven by powerful states like the US, China, and Russia, whose leaders openly disdain democratic norms and human rights.
Sudan’s War: A War on Women’s Bodies
Sudan’s nearly three-year civil war exemplifies the brutal human cost of conflict, particularly for women and girls. Reports from displaced women like Mariam reveal widespread sexual violence used as a deliberate war strategy by armed groups such as the Rapid Support Forces. The siege and famine in North Darfur compound this crisis, with humanitarian organizations struggling to provide aid amid ongoing violence.
Uganda’s Political Repression and Gendered Violence
In Uganda, the Pan-African Progressive Leaders Solidarity Network highlights systematic sexual violence and political repression under military forces loyal to Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba. The targeting of prominent women and enforced disappearances reflect a broader pattern of state-sponsored terror, with calls for international accountability growing louder.
The US and Global Human Rights Backsliding
The Trump administration’s second term has been marked by policies undermining US democracy and international human rights institutions. Human Rights Watch criticizes harsh immigration enforcement, withdrawal from global bodies, and tacit acceptance of abuses in conflict zones like Gaza and Sudan. This decline in US leadership weakens global human rights enforcement and emboldens authoritarian regimes.
Broader Regional Challenges
In Asia, authoritarian governments suppress dissent, exploit vulnerable migrant workers, and allow harmful practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation to persist, as seen in Sudanese communities and Southeast Asia. Cybercrime and trafficking flourish amid weak law enforcement, further endangering human rights.
Forecast and Implications
The convergence of armed conflict, authoritarian governance, and weakening international oversight will likely deepen global human rights crises. Without coordinated global alliances and renewed democratic diplomacy, abuses will intensify, disproportionately affecting women, children, and marginalized communities. The erosion of US democratic norms and leadership further complicates prospects for international accountability.
Relevance to Readers
This global trend impacts international stability, migration flows, and humanitarian aid priorities. Awareness and advocacy for human rights remain critical as these crises unfold, with implications for global security and justice.
What the papers say
Human Rights Watch Executive Director Philippe Bolopion told Reuters and The Japan Times that global democracy has regressed to 1985 levels, with 72% of the population living under autocracy. He criticized the Trump administration for undermining US democracy and embracing policies aligned with white nationalist ideology, including harsh immigration enforcement and withdrawal from international bodies (Reuters, The Japan Times).
Al Jazeera’s report highlights HRW’s condemnation of the US for inhumane treatment of immigrants and asylum seekers, and its criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza as genocidal. The report also details Russia’s intensified crackdown on dissent and China’s systematic denial of freedoms (Al Jazeera).
SBS provides a harrowing account from Sudan, where women like Mariam face sexual violence amid famine and displacement caused by the civil war. Plan International’s CEO calls this a deliberate war strategy targeting women’s bodies (SBS).
The Pan-African Progressive Leaders Solidarity Network condemns sexual violence and political repression in Uganda, citing attacks on prominent women and enforced disappearances under military command, urging international bodies to act (All Africa).
All Africa’s coverage of Sudanese women’s experiences during the Khartoum siege reveals a resurgence of harmful practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation, exacerbated by conflict and lack of legal oversight (All Africa).
The New York Post exposes disturbing online child exploitation networks in the US, illustrating the broader context of human rights abuses and the challenges of combating digital predation (NY Post).
Together, these sources paint a comprehensive picture of a worsening global human rights landscape, with intersecting crises of conflict, authoritarianism, and social exploitation.
How we got here
Since 2023, Sudan’s civil war has caused mass displacement, famine, and targeted attacks on women. Globally, authoritarianism has surged, with governments in the US, China, and Russia undermining democratic norms and human rights. Regional conflicts and abuses in Africa and Asia exacerbate humanitarian crises and repression.
Go deeper
- What are the main causes of the global decline in democracy?
- How is the conflict in Sudan affecting women and children?
- What role is the US playing in the current human rights landscape?
Common question
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Why Is Democracy Declining Worldwide?
Global democracy is facing a significant decline, with recent reports indicating that democratic freedoms have regressed to levels not seen since 1985. Countries like Russia, China, and the US are all experiencing setbacks in their democratic standards. But what’s causing this decline, and what does it mean for the future of human rights and global stability? Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this alarming trend and what it could mean for the world.
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What Does the Rise in Disease and Decline in Democracy Mean for Our Future?
Recent reports highlight a worrying decline in global democracy and a surge in disease outbreaks, raising questions about what this means for our future. How are these trends connected, and what can we expect moving forward? Below, we explore key questions about the state of democracy, health, and global stability, helping you understand the bigger picture and what to watch for next.
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Why Is Democracy Declining Worldwide?
Recent reports highlight a worrying trend: democracy is shrinking globally, with more countries falling under autocratic rule. This shift raises important questions about the causes behind this decline, the countries most affected, and what can be done to protect democratic freedoms. Understanding these issues is crucial for anyone interested in human rights and international stability.
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Why Is Democracy Declining Worldwide in 2026?
Global democracy is facing a significant decline in 2026, with more countries falling under authoritarian regimes. This trend raises questions about the causes behind the erosion of democratic freedoms and the roles played by major powers like the US, China, and Russia. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for anyone interested in global stability and human rights. Below, we explore the key reasons for this decline and what it means for the future of democracy worldwide.
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What Are the Major Political Changes Happening in 2026?
2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year in global politics, with significant shifts in democracy, regional stability, and international alliances. From the decline of democratic freedoms to regional disarmament efforts and changing labor dynamics, this year is marked by upheaval and transformation. Curious about what these changes mean for the world? Below, we explore the key questions and insights into the political landscape of 2026.
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Why Is Global Human Rights Declining Now?
Recent reports reveal a troubling decline in human rights worldwide, with authoritarian regimes tightening their grip and democratic freedoms eroding. From systemic abuses in Africa and Asia to setbacks in Western democracies, many wonder what’s causing this shift and what it means for everyday people. Below, we explore the main causes, affected countries, impacts on individuals, and what can be done to reverse this alarming trend.
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How is the world responding to the rise in authoritarian regimes?
As authoritarian regimes expand across Africa, Asia, and even influence the US, many wonder how the global community is reacting. Are international bodies taking action? Can democracy be saved in these countries? Here’s what you need to know about the current responses and future prospects in the face of rising repression and systemic abuses worldwide.
More on these topics
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Human Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organization, headquartered in New York City, that conducts research and advocacy on human rights.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.