The US Department of State has released its 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, revealing significant changes in tone and scope compared to its 2023 predecessor, particularly in the areas of gender, sexuality, and race. This year’s report, which arrived considerably later than usual, has sparked controversy and criticism from human rights organizations for its altered content and perceived omissions.

Intended to assess the state of internationally recognized human rights and worker rights in UN member states and US aid recipients, the report undergoes an annual review to guide US policymakers and legislators. The documentation for the 2024 report indicates it was revised to align more closely with recent executive orders by the administration and claims to enhance the report’s utility and accessibility.

Notably, the 2024 report omits previous references to the rights of "lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex individuals" and scales back on discussions regarding women’s rights and racial issues. The evaluation of certain countries has also shifted dramatically. For instance, the report now states that there were "no credible reports of human rights abuses" in El Salvador, a stark contrast to last year's report which cited several instances of violence and unlawful killings.

Other countries such as Israel and Hungary received noticeably less criticism than in the past, while European nations like the United Kingdom, France, and Germany were criticized more heavily for issues related to freedom of expression and rising antisemitism.

Human rights organizations have expressed deep concerns about the changes. Amnesty International highlighted what it sees as a deliberate attempt by the current administration to downplay severe human rights violations in certain regions. Similarly, Sarah Yager from Human Rights Watch described the report as an act of "whitewashing and deception," suggesting that it fails to accurately represent the global human rights situation.

In defense, State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce, during a press briefing, emphasized the report's restructuring aimed at improving readability and objectivity. She asserted that the new format addresses previously overlooked abuses.

The modifications in the 2024 human rights report highlight the ongoing debate over the role of political influence in the reporting and assessment of global human rights practices. As international scrutiny increases, the US State Department faces calls for transparency and fidelity to the comprehensive and unvarnished reporting of human rights issues worldwide.