China’s annual report on human rights violations in the United States portrays a nation in crisis in 2023, with deep political, economic, and social divisions. The report, released by China’s State Council Information Office last week, describes an increasingly polarized society where a ruling minority wields power while the majority of citizens face increasing marginalization and a loss of basic rights.

According to the report, public confidence in the U.S. has plummeted, with a recent survey showing that 76% of Americans believe the nation is headed in the wrong direction.

The report criticizes the U.S. government for failing to protect civil and political rights, pointing to political dysfunction, infighting, and an ineffective response to gun violence that led to approximately 43,000 deaths in 2023. It also highlights police brutality, citing 1,247 deaths due to police violence and a lack of accountability for law enforcement. Notably, the report describes the U.S. as a “prison nation” because the country, with less than 5% of the global population, accounts for 25% of the world’s prison inmates.

Racial discrimination is another significant concern raised in the report, which asserts that systemic racism is deeply embedded in the police force and criminal justice system. The report notes that African Americans face substantial healthcare disparities and that racial discrimination is prevalent across various sectors. It also addresses the economic plight of the “working poor,” the severe wealth gap, and insufficient protections for women’s and children’s rights, emphasizing issues such as pregnancy discrimination, limited access to maternity care, and high maternal mortality rates. According to the report, the U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among industrialized countries, far exceeding the second.

The report accuses the U.S. of exclusionary and discriminatory practices against immigrants, alleging that immigration issues are used for partisan gain. It also criticizes U.S. foreign policy, pointing out that it promotes hegemonism, power politics, and unilateral sanctions, contributing to global instability and humanitarian crises.

Overall, the report on U.S. human rights violations offers a sharp critique, highlighting severe domestic and international issues that show the U.S. as a violator, not a champion, of human rights. While the U.S. has merely called its own problems shortcomings and imperfections, the points raised in the report echo ongoing debates and conflicts within the country.

The political dysfunction and the government’s failure to address civil and political rights are particularly poignant. The struggle to enact effective gun control legislation amid escalating mass shootings underscores a deep-seated issue within the political system. The statistics on gun violence and police brutality serve as stark reminders of the urgent need for reform in law enforcement and gun policies.

In 2020, gun deaths became the leading cause of mortality for children and young adults in the U.S., surpassing all other accidental injuries, including motor vehicle crashes.

The report’s emphasis on racial discrimination and inequality reveals persistent systemic problems. The data on healthcare disparities, exemplified by the high maternal mortality rate among African American women and the prevalence of discrimination against Asians and other minorities, underscore an urgent need for comprehensive policy changes to address these inequities. According to a poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research last year, one in three Asians and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. experienced racial abuse in 2023, and 15% believe they were targeted in a hate crime.

The economic hardships faced by the “working poor” highlight growing income inequality and the inadequacies of the current economic system. The federal minimum wage has remained stagnant while inflation has risen, significcantly reducing purchasing power. This situation has made it increasingly difficult for low-income households to afford basic necessities. This economic strain exacerbates the issue of homelessness and renders the so-called “American Dream” so meaningless.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reported 653,104 homeless Americans in January 2023, equivalent to about one in 500 people. That represents a 12.1% increase compared to the previous year and the highest point since at least 2007. Disparities are stark, with Black, African American, or African individuals comprising 37.3% of the homeless population while representing only 13.6% of the total population. Similarly, Native Americans, Hispanics, and veterans also have disproportionate rates of homelessness. This further reflects racial inequality and a lack of emphasis on human rights.

The report notes that immigration, historically a cornerstone of American identity, has become a battleground for partisan politics. The report’s depiction of exclusionary practices and exploitation of immigrants underscores the need for a humane and just immigration policy, not one where immigrants are exploited for political gain. The current system, marred by political theatrics and partisan bickering, fails to uphold the rights and well-being of immigrants, contributing to a cycle of crisis and humanitarian issues.

The report also condemns U.S. hegemony and military interventions on the global stage, highlighting the extensive consequences of American foreign policy. The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine serve as poignant examples of where the American military-industrial complex sustains conflict for profit. Additionally, the continued operation of the Guantanamo Bay prison symbolizes the fundamental contradictions in the human rights rhetoric of the U.S. and highlights the need for introspection and reform.

The Chinese government’s annual report serves as a reflection of the deep-rooted challenges faced by the U.S. The issues raised in the report mirror the ongoing debates, struggles and conflicts within the U.S., emphasizing the need for comprehensive policy changes and systemic reforms that go beyond mere rhetoric.

As Americans confront these challenges, the pursuit of a more just, equitable, and humane society remains a crucial goal that goes beyond partisan politics and international criticism. To address these issues, a concerted effort is required to reform the policies and systems in the U.S. that perpetuate inequality and injustice.

In conclusion, the U.S. should take a close look at the Chinese report and effectively tackle the problems raised in it. If so, it will be in a position to contribute to world peace and development, because, as the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken once emphasized, “countries that respect human rights are more likely to be peaceful, prosperous and stable.” Indeed, the U.S., above all, needs to examine its own behavior and take care of its own problems, instead of meddling in other countries’ internal affairs and planting conflicts and chaos in the name of human rights and democracy. Hopefully, the U.S. will be “peaceful, prosperous and stable” in the coming months and years.

Bradley Blankenship is a Prague-based American journalist, political analyst and freelance reporter.