Human Rights Group Calls on Trump to Improve US Children's, Women's Rights

US President-elect Donald Trump should put his "often-abhorrent campaign rhetoric" behind him and place rights, good governance, and the rule of law at the center of his domestic and international policies, according to human rights campaigners.

A statement from Human Rights Watch — released moments after Trump's confirmation as president-elect — said he should recognize that US government credibility in promoting human and the rule of law cannot be fully realized unless the US government itself demonstrates a better record on issues like the rights of women and children.

"Now that he has secured victory, President-elect Trump should move from the headline-grabbing rhetoric of hatred and govern with respect for all who live in the United States. He found a path to the White House through a campaign marked by misogyny, racism, and xenophobia, but that's not a route to successful governance," said Kenneth Roth, executive director at Human Rights Watch.

"President-elect Trump should commit to leading the US in a manner that fully respects and promotes human rights for everyone," he said.

How will Donald Trump's shock victory affect human rights in the US and globally? Find out in today's Daily Brief https://t.co/PSrirPwkYI pic.twitter.com/5MzQfgiLG9

— Human Rights Watch (@hrw) November 9, 2016

​The US presidential campaign was dominated by several controversial statements and policy proposals by Trump. When announcing his intention to run for president, June 2015, Trump said: "When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best.

"They're sending people that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people," Trump said.

Muslim Ban

Trump drew anger by also proposing banning Muslims from entering the US, a statement that led to a petition calling for him to be banned from entering the UK. It gained more than 500,000 signatures and — although the matter was debated in the UK Parliament — no action was taken.

He drew severe criticism from the public and the media when a 2005 recording of Trump, appearing to boast about sexually assaulting women, became a focal point of the campaign. Trump later apologized for his statements.

"It is difficult to press other countries to respect human rights when your own government is sometimes ignoring them," said Roth.

"At home, for example, President-elect Trump should address criminal justice and immigration reform, and place special emphasis on addressing systematic racial discrimination," he added.