Foreign news

Report: U.S. wealth division leads to serious human rights issues

Published

6 years ago

July 15, 2020

The China Society for Human Rights Studies on Tuesday published an article laying bare the harsh reality of the serious division between the rich and the poor in the United States under the superficial of its overall prosperity.

The growing division between the rich and the poor in the United States has further highlighted and exacerbated the existing social and economic inequality within the U.S. society, reducing people at the bottom to a more difficult situation, read the article titled “The Growing Division Between the Rich and the Poor Leading to Increasingly Severe Human Rights Issues in the United States.”

The wealth of 0.1 percent of the richest U.S. family equals to the sum of wealth owned by the 90 percent families from the bottom combined, noted the report, citing comments from a UN Special Rapporteur who said the United States has the widest gap between the rich and the poor among all Western countries.

“The American Dream was rapidly transforming into the “American Illusion,” said the rapporteur.

American illusion

The growing division between the rich and the poor have led the American people into grave human rights disasters, the report pointed out, noting low-income groups are faced with the threat of hunger and their equal opportunities for education are also eroded due to poverty.

According to the report, around 40 million U.S. citizens live in poverty, and among them, 18.5 million live in extreme poverty. Nearly half of U.S. households are unable to maintain an adequate standard of living and more than five million U.S. citizens live in a state comparable to that of the absolutely poor in the third world.

The division also caused the “health gap” in the U.S. as those who lost their medical insurance due to poverty cannot afford medical expenses also have shorter life expectancy and are more likely to die of illness, said the report.

The report attributed the cause of the division to “the so-called U.S. democratic system” which “deprives its citizens of economic, social, and cultural rights.”

Money politics

It further revealed that the U.S. government lacks the political will to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor, stating the nature of “money politics” of the U.S. political system.

“The capital interest has turned the U.S. government into a spokesman for the rich,” said the report.

It suggested that the division between the rich and the poor in the U.S. will be a stable, long-term trend as substantial reversal of this situation is unlikely in the near future.

“The severe negative impact it has brought on the enjoyment and realization of the human rights of the U.S. people will continue to worsen,” the report concluded.

(With input from Xinhua

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Foreign news

VON Forum 2026: NTAC DG Yusuf Buba Yakub Highlights Role of Technical Aid Corps in Strengthening Democratic Stability in ECOWAS

Published

6 days ago

April 11, 2026

The Gleamer

…Says Democratic Stability Thrives on an Educated and Skilled Population

Joel Ajayi

The Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, has reaffirmed the strong link between democratic stability and the presence of an educated and skilled population.

In a statement signed by the Head, Information & Public RelationsNigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) Ojo Adetoun Olubunmi reveals that the DG made this known during the 2026 Voice of Nigeria (VON) Forum held on Thursday in Abuja, as part of activities marking the 51st anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The NTAC DG commended the foresight of African leaders, particularly General Yakubu Gowon, whose leadership led to the establishment of ECOWAS through the Lagos Accord.

He also applauded the Voice of Nigeria for sustaining the annual forum, describing it as a strategic platform for policy dialogue and regional reflection.

In his goodwill message—delivered on his behalf by his Media Assistant, Nkem Anyatta-Lafia —the DG noted that the theme of this year’s forum, “51 Years of Nigeria’s Role in Deepening Democratic Stability in ECOWAS,” aligns closely with NTAC’s mandate of promoting education, empowerment, and skills transfer across ECOWAS member states and beyond.

“It is a profound honour to stand before this distinguished assembly of thinkers, policymakers, and patriots as we reflect on a milestone that is as much about our shared history as it is about our collective future,” he stated.“For over five decades—nearly four of which NTAC has been in existence—Nigeria has played a leading role in the sub-region, not only through economic and military support but also through the strategic deployment of soft power and human capital development.”

The DG emphasized that democratic stability goes beyond the conduct of elections, stressing that it is rooted in strong institutions, a healthy populace, and an educated workforce.

“For nearly 40 years, NTAC Volunteers—comprising doctors, engineers, teachers, and legal professionals—have advanced these ideals across Africa, the Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries. They serve as Nigeria’s peace ambassadors, strengthening the social and technical foundations of partner nations.”

He further noted that poverty and lack of technical expertise often contribute to political instability, adding that NTAC’s interventions help build resilience and sustain democratic governance across beneficiary countries.

Highlighting the Corps’ achievements, the DG disclosed that over 11,000 Nigerian professionals have been deployed to more than 40 countries worldwide over the past four decades, contributing significantly to development efforts in line with the Federal Government’s 4-D Foreign Policy thrust—Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora.

“This is the mandate NTAC continues to pursue in strengthening Nigeria’s global partnerships and reinforcing its leadership role in Africa and beyond,” he added.

He concluded by commending VON for its commitment to fostering dialogue on regional progress and urged stakeholders to sustain collaborative efforts in addressing emerging challenges to democracy in the sub-region.

The event, held at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, was attended by prominent dignitaries including the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin; the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris Malagi; Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs; Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede; the Etsu Nupe, HRH Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar; as well as representatives of key government institutions, the diplomatic corps, and the military high command.

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