US added to 'concerning' international watchlist due to rapid decline in one aspect

The US has been added to an intentional watchlist which puts them alongside other countries that are 'deteriorating' in one aspect.

Ever since Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, it's fair to say the country has been through a lot of changes.

Today (March 11) marks 50 days since Trump took office, with the president addressing Congress last week on all he has done so far.

In an explosive interview in the Oval Office, the president accused President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy of 'gambling with World War 3', which led to the 47th POTUS withdrawing military aid for the European country.

Trump's tenure so far has also been dominated by executive order after executive order, some being more controversial than others.

The US has been added to an international list by a watchdog (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

And in another development to Trump's premiership, the US has now been added to the Civicus Monitor Watchlist, which includes a host of countries that a global civil rights watchdog say are experiencing a rapid decline in civic freedoms.

International non-profit organization Civicus announced the US would be added to the watchlist, alongside the likes of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Italy, Pakistan and Serbia.

Accordig to Mandeep Tiwana, co-secretary general of Civicus, the watchlist 'looks at countries where we remain concerned about deteriorating civic space conditions, in relation to freedoms of peaceful assembly, association and expression'.

The Guardian reports that Civicus' decision to include the US on the list is due to 'Trump administration’s assault on democratic norms and global cooperation'.

Mandeep Tiwana, Interim Co-Secretary General of the non-profit organization, said in a press release: "This is an unparalleled attack on the rule of law in the United States, not seen since the days of McCarthyism in the twentieth century.

"Restrictive executive orders, unjustifiable institutional cutbacks, and intimidation tactics through threatening pronouncements by senior officials in the administration are creating an atmosphere to chill democratic dissent.

"The Trump administration seems hellbent on dismantling the system of checks and balances which are the pillars of a democratic society."

The non-profit organization have explained why the US is on the watchlist (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Civicus say a number of reasons have contributed to their decision, including that of Trump allegedly attacking 'hard-fought progress on diversity, equity, and inclusion'.

"It has also stopped funding for civil society organisations that support sexual and reproductive freedoms due to its negative stance on abortion rights," the press release adds.

In a plea to the US and Trump's government, Tiwana added: "We urge the United States to uphold the rule of law and respect constitutional and international human rights norms.

"Americans across the political spectrum are appalled by the undemocratic actions of the current administration."

UNILAD has reached out to the White House for comment.