The State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China on Sunday issued a detailed report criticizing the state of human rights in the United States in 2024, highlighting issues ranging from electoral manipulation and political violence to social inequality and systemic racism.
According to the Report on Human Rights Violations in the United States in 2024, the U.S. election year exposed deepening political strife and worsening social divisions. The report argues that money continues to dominate American politics, with campaign spending exceeding $15.9 billion, setting another record high. It alleges that partisan gerrymandering and restrictive voting laws across dozens of states have effectively suppressed the voting rights of minorities, the elderly, and low-income groups.
The document also underscores growing disillusionment among the American public, citing polls that show nearly half of voters doubt the effectiveness of the political system, and close to 80 percent believe the 2024 election did not make them proud of their country. Reports of political violence, threats against candidates, and deep partisan obstruction are described as symptoms of a democracy in crisis.
On the economic front, the report highlights rising inequality as inflation, debt, and poverty hit record levels. More than 40 million Americans live in poverty, over 700,000 are homeless—an 18.1 percent increase from 2023—and credit card debt surged to a historic $1.14 trillion. It also criticized the U.S. Supreme Court’s July ruling that allowed penalties against homeless individuals sleeping outdoors.
The report further points to a worsening public health and drug crisis, noting over 100,000 overdose deaths in 2024. It blames government-business collusion and regulatory failures for fueling opioid abuse, while condemning the lack of universal healthcare in the U.S., which leaves many families bankrupt due to medical debt.
Gun violence and police brutality remain major concerns. The report states that over 40,000 people were killed by firearms in 2024, including more than 1,400 children, while police violence accounted for at least 1,300 deaths and hundreds of thousands of civilian injuries.
China’s findings also highlight systemic racism, citing persistent inequalities faced by African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans. It notes that African Americans remain disproportionately affected by police shootings and incarceration, while Asian Americans face widespread discrimination in the workplace.
The report denounces the lack of legal protections for women and children in the U.S., criticizing the absence of ratification of key international treaties and rising cases of child labor exploitation. Migrants, particularly along the southern border, continue to face dire humanitarian conditions, with deaths and disappearances reaching alarming levels.
Beyond domestic issues, the document also condemns U.S. foreign policy, including its military support for Israel during the Gaza conflict and its continued use of unilateral sanctions, which it argues have harmed billions globally. The ongoing operation of Guantanamo Bay prison is also cited as evidence of continued human rights violations.
The report concludes that the turbulence of 2024 reflects the “structural dilemmas of American-style human rights,” accusing U.S. politicians of turning human rights into political tools rather than genuine protections.
