HRW Report Criticizes Biden for ‘Double Standard’ on Human Rights Amid Gaza Conflict
Liberal democracies have shown inconsistency in defending human rights, says Human Rights Watch.
A new report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused United States President Joe Biden of applying a "double standard" in his human rights policies, providing unrestricted military aid to Israel while denouncing Russia for similar violations in Ukraine.
HRW’s 2025 World Report, released on Thursday, criticized the Biden administration for continuing to supply Israel with $17.9 billion in security assistance and approving over 100 arms sales, despite allegations of war crimes committed during the conflict in Gaza. Meanwhile, the US withheld funding from UNRWA, the United Nations agency supporting Palestinian refugees, as Gaza faced a worsening humanitarian crisis due to Israel’s blockade.
The report underscored a broader issue, arguing that liberal democracies, including the US, have not always been consistent defenders of human rights either domestically or abroad. It highlighted that many of the 70 national elections held last year were influenced by racism, hate, and discrimination—trends that were also evident in the US and European Union.
Concerns were also raised about US President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to take office on January 20. HRW warned that his second term could further erode human rights protections globally, emboldening authoritarian leaders and weakening democratic norms.
The report also pointed to the rise of the far right in European politics, particularly in last year’s European Parliament elections, where nationalist and anti-immigrant rhetoric fueled policies that threaten minority communities and democratic institutions.
Resisting Injustice
While the report detailed severe human rights violations—such as war crimes in Gaza, mass killings in Sudan’s civil war, and ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine—it also highlighted examples of democratic resilience and resistance movements worldwide.
In Syria, the ousting of Bashar al-Assad by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham demonstrated the limits of authoritarian rule, though HRW cautioned that some of the armed groups involved had committed abuses of their own.
Other instances of civic resistance included:
In Bangladesh, student-led anti-corruption protests forced the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, leading to the formation of an interim government headed by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus.
In Kenya, demonstrators took to the streets to oppose corruption and mismanagement in President William Ruto’s administration.
In Venezuela, protesters demanded electoral transparency amid what they described as "brutal repression" by President Nicolas Maduro’s government.
In South Korea, an attempt by President Yoon Suk-yeol to impose martial law was met with mass protests, ultimately leading to his impeachment.
In Georgia, widespread demonstrations erupted after the government abandoned its bid for EU accession, a move seen as a shift toward authoritarianism.
“These resistance movements underscore a crucial truth: ordinary people, frustrated by injustice and corruption, are often the driving force behind the fight for rights,” HRW stated in its report.
The findings suggest that while liberal democracies may present themselves as champions of human rights, their selective approach to enforcement has led to growing skepticism about their credibility on the global stage.