Democracy in Distress: Why the U.S. Landing on a Human Rights Watchlist Should Alarm Us All

"Democracy doesn’t erode in silence—it crumbles in the echoes of our complacency. To protect it, we must not only raise our voices but anchor them in relentless action, radical belonging, and unwavering care." - Mary Coughlin

When we think of nations placed on human rights watchlists, we don’t usually imagine the United States among them. And yet, here we are.

Recently, the international organization CIVICUS added the U.S. to its global Monitor Watchlist due to significant concerns about the erosion of civic freedoms. This designation—previously reserved for nations where democracy teeters on the edge—signals a sobering reality: Our democracy is in distress.

A Wake-Up Call, Not a Footnote

This is not just another headline to scroll past. This is a call to attention, a moment demanding our collective reckoning. The concerns cited by CIVICUS—crackdowns on peaceful protests, restrictions on press freedom, mass firings of public officials, and a growing disregard for international human rights commitments—should set off alarm bells for anyone who values democracy, justice, and human dignity.

We have long operated under the assumption that our democratic institutions are strong enough to withstand any assault. But history teaches us that democratic backsliding does not happen overnight. It happens gradually, through small, seemingly disconnected actions that, when woven together, create an undeniable pattern of erosion.

The Trauma of Civic Decline

As someone who works at the intersection of trauma, resilience, and systems change, I see these democratic shifts through a trauma-informed lens. Civic deterioration is not just a political issue—it is a human one. The marginalization of voices, suppression of dissent, and consolidation of power create an environment that fosters fear, silence, and disconnection.

When people no longer feel safe to speak, when their access to truth is filtered, when their rights are contingent upon compliance with those in power—this is trauma at a systemic level. And the consequences ripple outward: disempowerment, division, and a deepening sense of hopelessness that makes people feel powerless to act.

Radical Belonging as an Act of Resistance

But we are not powerless.

One of the pillars of trauma-informed leadership is radical belonging—the commitment to ensuring that every individual has a voice, a role, and a stake in shaping the world we share. In times like these, when democracy itself feels fragile, our responsibility is to fortify that sense of belonging.

We do this by:

• Refusing to normalize democratic erosion. Naming what is happening, sharing reliable information, and educating ourselves and others about civic engagement.

• Building community-centered resilience. Recognizing that systemic trauma requires systemic healing. This means creating spaces—both in person and online—where people can connect, support one another, and take meaningful action.

• Speaking truth to power. Whether through voting, advocacy, or direct civic engagement, we must assert our collective agency to challenge policies and practices that threaten human rights.

• Centering care in activism. Burnout and despair are the enemies of sustained change. We must lead with care—care for ourselves, for each other, and for the values we hold dear.

The Future Is Still Ours to Shape

The placement of the U.S. on a human rights watchlist is not just a condemnation—it is a call to action. The choice before us is clear: Will we allow democracy to slip further into fragility, or will we rise with the resilience, courage, and love necessary to reimagine it?

This is our moment—not just to bear witness but to intervene, to disrupt, to build. The work of justice, like the work of healing, is ongoing. And together, we can ensure that the future of democracy is not just one we inherit, but one we create.

Let’s get to work.

The work of justice is the work of healing. And healing—real, transformative healing—demands that we stay awake, stay engaged, and stay connected. Our democracy is not a passive inheritance; it is an active creation. Let’s build it together.

With fierce hope and unwavering resolve,
Mary

P.S. If this post stirred something in you, don’t let that fire fade. Share it, start a conversation, and most importantly—take action. Our voices matter. Our choices matter. And together, we are far more powerful than those who seek to silence us.