"George W. Bush and his administration embarked on a full-scale assault on civil liberties, human rights and the rule of law, walking away from his international obligations, tearing up international treaties, protocols and UN conventions"

Bianca Jagger’s statement sharply critiques the actions and policies of the George W. Bush administration, particularly following the September 11, 2001 attacks. She alleges that the administration systematically undermined foundational principles such as civil liberties and human rights, both domestically and internationally. The “full-scale assault on civil liberties” alludes to expanded government surveillance, increased powers for law enforcement agencies, and the passing of legislation like the USA PATRIOT Act, which many believe eroded privacy protections and due process rights for American citizens and others.

Her mention of “human rights and the rule of law” references practices such as the detention of terrorism suspects at Guantanamo Bay without trial, the use of enhanced interrogation techniques widely regarded as torture, and secret rendition of prisoners to countries known for abusive practices. These actions, critics argue, represented a significant deviation from established norms of justice and international legal standards, damaging America’s moral authority and undermining global human rights protections.

Jagger also accuses the administration of “walking away from international obligations,” pointing to policies that demonstrated disregard for multilateral agreements and cooperative global conduct. Specific examples include the Bush administration’s withdrawal from or refusal to ratify treaties such as the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, and opposition to aspects of the International Criminal Court. Such moves signaled a unilateral approach, prioritizing national interests over collective international commitments and consensus.

The phrase “tearing up international treaties, protocols and UN conventions” underscores the perception of a broader strategy to extricate the United States from binding international frameworks. For many observers, this undermined global governance structures intended to foster stability, peace, and respect for universal rights. Jagger’s critique encapsulates broader concerns about how post-9/11 security agendas redefined the balance between security and liberty, reshaping global perceptions of American leadership, and challenging the long-term integrity of international law.