When Human Rights Are Turned Upside Down

The State Department’s new directive classifying abortion access and DEI programs as potential human-rights violations marks a major shift in U.S. foreign-policy language. By reframing reproductive autonomy and equity initiatives as infringements on “God-given rights,” the policy reverses long-standing human-rights interpretations and raises constitutional concerns. This editorial examines the implications of the directive, its conflict with the Ninth Amendment, and its potential impact on global human-rights reporting.

Amendment IX — Rights That Remain Unwritten

The Ninth Amendment affirms that the rights listed in the Constitution do not limit the broader liberties retained by the people. Designed to prevent the narrowing of freedom, it recognizes that constitutional protections extend beyond what is written on the page and evolve as society changes.