UN Expert Links Welfare Cuts to Rise of Far-right Populism Worldwide | AI News Digest
Olivier De Schutter, the UN special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, has issued a stark warning that years of welfare reductions have played a significant role in fueling the rise of far-right and populist movements across the globe. He contends that the decline of social safety nets has created an environment of scarcity, which has, in turn, heightened anti-migrant attitudes and deepened political divides. In his forthcoming report to the UN General Assembly, De Schutter stresses the importance of recognizing welfare as essential to societal stability, rather than merely a financial burden. He highlights the situation in the UK, where the Reform party has gained momentum by tapping into public anxieties about migration and economic uncertainty. The report seeks to promote a reassessment of social protection strategies to combat the divisive narratives that have proliferated in recent years.
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