[ad_1]
TOKYO (AP) – Amid global outrage over the storming of the U.S. Capitol building by angry supporters of President Donald Trump, there was a lingering tension of joy on the part of those who had long felt the perceived American tendency to chastise other countries for less than perfect. adherence to democratic ideals.
The tear gas and bullets inside the Capitol, a globally recognized structure that lies at the center of America’s idea of democracy, are more commonly associated with countries where popular uprisings topple a hated dictator. The Arab Spring, for example.
This time, however, it was an attempt by Americans to halt a peaceful transition of power to President-elect Joe Biden after a democratic election in a country many around the world have seen as a model of democratic governance.
“We have to call it for what it is: a deliberate attack on democracy by a sitting president and his supporters, who are trying to overthrow free and fair elections!” The world is watching! Irish Foreign and Defense Minister Simon Coveney said on Twitter, representing a tone of outrage that many world leaders have taken.
Some world observers, however, seemed to revel in the explosion of violence that marked the final days of a presidency that divided opinion abroad almost as sharply as in America.
In China, which has had constant friction with the Trump administration over trade, military and political matters, people have been scathing in their criticism of Trump and his supporters, citing both its failure to control the coronavirus pandemic and crowd action in Washington.
Communist-ruled China has long accused the United States of hypocrisy in its efforts to promote democracy and defend human rights abroad.
The Communist Youth League posted a photo montage of the violence on Capitol Hill on its Twitter-like Weibo microblog with the caption: “The sixth, the US Congress, a very nice site to see. It seemed to mock House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for her June 2019 comments praising the sometimes violent anti-government protests in Hong Kong.
“The United States is not as secure as China, is it? I think Trump is a selfish and selfish person, ”financial adviser Yang Ming said.
Some overseas observers have held Trump responsible for the chaos, and there was widespread condemnation that seemed fueled by the President’s often antagonistic relationship with countries around the world. This was especially true for those who have been at the forefront of US military might and punitive sanctions.
Iran, another country that faces routine American criticism of violations of human rights and democratic values, has jumped on the insurgency as evidence of American hypocrisy.
The semi-official Fars news agency called the United States a “fragmented democracy”, while pro-government Iranian Twitter accounts cheered, circulating photos of crowds with hashtags including #DownfalloftheUS.
Violence on the United States Capitol tarnishes America’s insistence that it is a bastion of democracy for countries that have not, in some instances, abandoned autocratic or military-controlled forms of government .
“The beauty of democracy?” with a shrug emoji was the reaction tweeted by Bashir Ahmad, a personal assistant to the President of Nigeria, who has seen several coups since independence – including one led decades ago by President Muhammadu Buhari. , who recently came to power by vote.
Some legislatures in Asia – South Korea and Taiwan, for example – have at times been marred by brawls and shouting, but democracies across the region are normally frozen versions of European and American legislative models.
“It’s shocking. I hope this will allow Americans to review their democracy, ”Na HyunPil told the Korean House for International Solidarity, an NGO based in Seoul. “Trump is fully responsible for this incident. After his four-year reign, Americans find it difficult to tell other countries that their country is a good model of democracy.
According to Wesley Widmaier, professor of international relations at Australian National University, American politics have long been beset by fringe conspiracy theories and grievances.
“What sets the last four years apart is that these views have been embraced by the President of the United States – and we can trace a direct line to Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric and outright lies about it. election of 2020 to the seat of the United States Capitol, ”he said.
Several countries, America’s allies and antagonists, have issued travel advisories to their citizens.
Australians have been urged to avoid US protests following what Prime Minister Scott Morrison called “rather worrying scenes” in the United States.
Malcolm Turnbull, who was Australian Prime Minister when Trump took office and was replaced by Morrison in 2018, has been much stronger in his condemnation, portraying Trump as a narcissistic tyrant who is only interested in his own power.
“I was appalled,” Turnbull told Australian Broadcasting Corp. “Donald Trump has done more damage to America in his four years, both internally, nationally and in terms of international reputation, than any of his opponents could have imagined possible.”
Other friendly countries were also shocked at what they described as an attack on American democracy, although some said they believed America’s democratic institutions would withstand the turmoil.
“Shameful scenes in the US Congress,” tweeted British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a staunch US ally for generations. “The United States is a supporter of democracy around the world and it is now vital that there is a peaceful and orderly transfer of power.”
“What is happening is wrong,” New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a statement. “Democracy – the right of people to vote, to have their voices heard and then to have that decision peacefully upheld – should never be overruled by a crowd.”
Prime Minister of the world’s largest democracy, India Narendra Modi, said on Twitter: “Saddened to see news of riots and violence in Washington DC. An orderly and peaceful transfer of power must continue. The democratic process cannot be corrupted by illegal demonstrations. “
Venezuela, which is subject to US sanctions, said the events in Washington show that the United States “is suffering from what it has generated in other countries with its policy of aggression.”
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro survived US-backed opposition efforts to oust him despite accusations of human rights violations, civil unrest and a humanitarian crisis that have forced millions of people to flee this oil-rich country.
“It’s an insurrection. Nothing less. In Washington, ”tweeted Carl Bildt, a former Swedish prime minister.
___
AP journalists around the world contributed to this story.
[ad_2]
Source link