Wildfires are burning in parts of Europe, displacing thousands, as water-dropping planes and helicopters swoop overhead and residents join the effort, beating back flames with cut branches or dousing them with buckets of water.
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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Local residents and volunteers try to put out a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Local residents and volunteers try to put out a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Local residents and volunteers work together to put out an encroaching wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Local residents and volunteers work together to put out an encroaching wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Bunred bale of straw are pictured during a forest fire in Pareisas, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Bunred bale of straw are pictured during a forest fire in Pareisas, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
A firefighter and men try to control the fire approaching a house during a wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A firefighter and men try to control the fire approaching a house during a wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A helicopter drops water on a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
A helicopter drops water on a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Burned cars are seen at an impound lot in Kato Achaia, during a wildfire near Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Burned cars are seen at an impound lot in Kato Achaia, during a wildfire near Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man fights against the fire as approaching a house during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man fights against the fire as approaching a house during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man reacts as firefighters and other men try to control an approaching wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man reacts as firefighters and other men try to control an approaching wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man takes away goats during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man takes away goats during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Members of the London Fire Brigade tackle a wildfire on Wanstead Flats in London, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Joanna Chan)
Members of the London Fire Brigade tackle a wildfire on Wanstead Flats in London, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Joanna Chan)
View of flames and smoke from a fire on Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, Scotland, Sunday Aug. 10, 2025. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
View of flames and smoke from a fire on Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, Scotland, Sunday Aug. 10, 2025. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
Burned trees are pictured during one of the largest wildfire in decades in Fontjoncouse, southern France, Friday, Aug.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Burned trees are pictured during one of the largest wildfire in decades in Fontjoncouse, southern France, Friday, Aug.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a fire man using a hose next to the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a fire man using a hose next to the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
Burned grapevines are pictured after firefighters contained France’s largest wildfire in decades in Saint Laurent de La Cabrerisse, southern France, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Burned grapevines are pictured after firefighters contained France’s largest wildfire in decades in Saint Laurent de La Cabrerisse, southern France, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a plane flying over the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a plane flying over the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
A burned agricultural machine is pictured after a fire during France’s largest wildfire in decades in Albas, southern France, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
A burned agricultural machine is pictured after a fire during France’s largest wildfire in decades in Albas, southern France, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Wildfires are burning in parts of Europe, displacing thousands, as water-dropping planes and helicopters swoop overhead and residents join the effort, beating back flames with cut branches or dousing them with buckets of water.
___
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Local residents and volunteers try to put out a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Local residents and volunteers try to put out a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Local residents and volunteers work together to put out an encroaching wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Local residents and volunteers work together to put out an encroaching wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Bunred bale of straw are pictured during a forest fire in Pareisas, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Bunred bale of straw are pictured during a forest fire in Pareisas, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
A firefighter and men try to control the fire approaching a house during a wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A firefighter and men try to control the fire approaching a house during a wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A helicopter drops water on a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
A helicopter drops water on a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Burned cars are seen at an impound lot in Kato Achaia, during a wildfire near Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Burned cars are seen at an impound lot in Kato Achaia, during a wildfire near Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man fights against the fire as approaching a house during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man fights against the fire as approaching a house during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man reacts as firefighters and other men try to control an approaching wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man reacts as firefighters and other men try to control an approaching wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man takes away goats during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man takes away goats during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Members of the London Fire Brigade tackle a wildfire on Wanstead Flats in London, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Joanna Chan)
Members of the London Fire Brigade tackle a wildfire on Wanstead Flats in London, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Joanna Chan)
View of flames and smoke from a fire on Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, Scotland, Sunday Aug. 10, 2025. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
View of flames and smoke from a fire on Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, Scotland, Sunday Aug. 10, 2025. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
Burned trees are pictured during one of the largest wildfire in decades in Fontjoncouse, southern France, Friday, Aug.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Burned trees are pictured during one of the largest wildfire in decades in Fontjoncouse, southern France, Friday, Aug.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a fire man using a hose next to the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a fire man using a hose next to the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
Burned grapevines are pictured after firefighters contained France’s largest wildfire in decades in Saint Laurent de La Cabrerisse, southern France, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Burned grapevines are pictured after firefighters contained France’s largest wildfire in decades in Saint Laurent de La Cabrerisse, southern France, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a plane flying over the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a plane flying over the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
A burned agricultural machine is pictured after a fire during France’s largest wildfire in decades in Albas, southern France, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
A burned agricultural machine is pictured after a fire during France’s largest wildfire in decades in Albas, southern France, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Wildfires are burning in parts of Europe, displacing thousands, as water-dropping planes and helicopters swoop overhead and residents join the effort, beating back flames with cut branches or dousing them with buckets of water.
___
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Local residents and volunteers try to put out a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Local residents and volunteers try to put out a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Local residents and volunteers work together to put out an encroaching wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Local residents and volunteers work together to put out an encroaching wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Bunred bale of straw are pictured during a forest fire in Pareisas, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Bunred bale of straw are pictured during a forest fire in Pareisas, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
A firefighter and men try to control the fire approaching a house during a wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A firefighter and men try to control the fire approaching a house during a wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A helicopter drops water on a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
A helicopter drops water on a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Burned cars are seen at an impound lot in Kato Achaia, during a wildfire near Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Burned cars are seen at an impound lot in Kato Achaia, during a wildfire near Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man fights against the fire as approaching a house during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man fights against the fire as approaching a house during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man reacts as firefighters and other men try to control an approaching wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man reacts as firefighters and other men try to control an approaching wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man takes away goats during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man takes away goats during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Members of the London Fire Brigade tackle a wildfire on Wanstead Flats in London, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Joanna Chan)
Members of the London Fire Brigade tackle a wildfire on Wanstead Flats in London, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Joanna Chan)
View of flames and smoke from a fire on Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, Scotland, Sunday Aug. 10, 2025. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
View of flames and smoke from a fire on Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, Scotland, Sunday Aug. 10, 2025. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
Burned trees are pictured during one of the largest wildfire in decades in Fontjoncouse, southern France, Friday, Aug.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Burned trees are pictured during one of the largest wildfire in decades in Fontjoncouse, southern France, Friday, Aug.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a fire man using a hose next to the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a fire man using a hose next to the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
Burned grapevines are pictured after firefighters contained France’s largest wildfire in decades in Saint Laurent de La Cabrerisse, southern France, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Burned grapevines are pictured after firefighters contained France’s largest wildfire in decades in Saint Laurent de La Cabrerisse, southern France, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a plane flying over the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a plane flying over the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
A burned agricultural machine is pictured after a fire during France’s largest wildfire in decades in Albas, southern France, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
A burned agricultural machine is pictured after a fire during France’s largest wildfire in decades in Albas, southern France, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Wildfires are burning in parts of Europe, displacing thousands, as water-dropping planes and helicopters swoop overhead and residents join the effort, beating back flames with cut branches or dousing them with buckets of water.
___
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Local residents and volunteers try to put out a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Local residents and volunteers try to put out a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Local residents and volunteers work together to put out an encroaching wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Local residents and volunteers work together to put out an encroaching wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Bunred bale of straw are pictured during a forest fire in Pareisas, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Bunred bale of straw are pictured during a forest fire in Pareisas, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
A firefighter and men try to control the fire approaching a house during a wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A firefighter and men try to control the fire approaching a house during a wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A helicopter drops water on a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
A helicopter drops water on a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Burned cars are seen at an impound lot in Kato Achaia, during a wildfire near Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Burned cars are seen at an impound lot in Kato Achaia, during a wildfire near Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man fights against the fire as approaching a house during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man fights against the fire as approaching a house during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man reacts as firefighters and other men try to control an approaching wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man reacts as firefighters and other men try to control an approaching wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man takes away goats during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man takes away goats during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Members of the London Fire Brigade tackle a wildfire on Wanstead Flats in London, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Joanna Chan)
Members of the London Fire Brigade tackle a wildfire on Wanstead Flats in London, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Joanna Chan)
View of flames and smoke from a fire on Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, Scotland, Sunday Aug. 10, 2025. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
View of flames and smoke from a fire on Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, Scotland, Sunday Aug. 10, 2025. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
Burned trees are pictured during one of the largest wildfire in decades in Fontjoncouse, southern France, Friday, Aug.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Burned trees are pictured during one of the largest wildfire in decades in Fontjoncouse, southern France, Friday, Aug.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a fire man using a hose next to the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a fire man using a hose next to the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
Burned grapevines are pictured after firefighters contained France’s largest wildfire in decades in Saint Laurent de La Cabrerisse, southern France, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Burned grapevines are pictured after firefighters contained France’s largest wildfire in decades in Saint Laurent de La Cabrerisse, southern France, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a plane flying over the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a plane flying over the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
A burned agricultural machine is pictured after a fire during France’s largest wildfire in decades in Albas, southern France, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
A burned agricultural machine is pictured after a fire during France’s largest wildfire in decades in Albas, southern France, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Wildfires are burning in parts of Europe, displacing thousands, as water-dropping planes and helicopters swoop overhead and residents join the effort, beating back flames with cut branches or dousing them with buckets of water.
___
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Local residents and volunteers try to put out a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Local residents and volunteers try to put out a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Local residents and volunteers work together to put out an encroaching wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Local residents and volunteers work together to put out an encroaching wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Bunred bale of straw are pictured during a forest fire in Pareisas, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Bunred bale of straw are pictured during a forest fire in Pareisas, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
A firefighter and men try to control the fire approaching a house during a wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A firefighter and men try to control the fire approaching a house during a wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A helicopter drops water on a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
A helicopter drops water on a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Burned cars are seen at an impound lot in Kato Achaia, during a wildfire near Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Burned cars are seen at an impound lot in Kato Achaia, during a wildfire near Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man fights against the fire as approaching a house during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man fights against the fire as approaching a house during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man reacts as firefighters and other men try to control an approaching wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man reacts as firefighters and other men try to control an approaching wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man takes away goats during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man takes away goats during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Members of the London Fire Brigade tackle a wildfire on Wanstead Flats in London, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Joanna Chan)
Members of the London Fire Brigade tackle a wildfire on Wanstead Flats in London, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Joanna Chan)
View of flames and smoke from a fire on Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, Scotland, Sunday Aug. 10, 2025. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
View of flames and smoke from a fire on Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, Scotland, Sunday Aug. 10, 2025. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
Burned trees are pictured during one of the largest wildfire in decades in Fontjoncouse, southern France, Friday, Aug.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Burned trees are pictured during one of the largest wildfire in decades in Fontjoncouse, southern France, Friday, Aug.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a fire man using a hose next to the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a fire man using a hose next to the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
Burned grapevines are pictured after firefighters contained France’s largest wildfire in decades in Saint Laurent de La Cabrerisse, southern France, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Burned grapevines are pictured after firefighters contained France’s largest wildfire in decades in Saint Laurent de La Cabrerisse, southern France, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a plane flying over the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a plane flying over the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
A burned agricultural machine is pictured after a fire during France’s largest wildfire in decades in Albas, southern France, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
A burned agricultural machine is pictured after a fire during France’s largest wildfire in decades in Albas, southern France, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Wildfires are burning in parts of Europe, displacing thousands, as water-dropping planes and helicopters swoop overhead and residents join the effort, beating back flames with cut branches or dousing them with buckets of water.
___
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Local residents and volunteers try to put out a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Local residents and volunteers try to put out a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Local residents and volunteers work together to put out an encroaching wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Local residents and volunteers work together to put out an encroaching wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Bunred bale of straw are pictured during a forest fire in Pareisas, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Bunred bale of straw are pictured during a forest fire in Pareisas, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
A firefighter and men try to control the fire approaching a house during a wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A firefighter and men try to control the fire approaching a house during a wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A helicopter drops water on a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
A helicopter drops water on a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Burned cars are seen at an impound lot in Kato Achaia, during a wildfire near Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Burned cars are seen at an impound lot in Kato Achaia, during a wildfire near Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man fights against the fire as approaching a house during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man fights against the fire as approaching a house during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man reacts as firefighters and other men try to control an approaching wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man reacts as firefighters and other men try to control an approaching wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man takes away goats during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man takes away goats during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Members of the London Fire Brigade tackle a wildfire on Wanstead Flats in London, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Joanna Chan)
Members of the London Fire Brigade tackle a wildfire on Wanstead Flats in London, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Joanna Chan)
View of flames and smoke from a fire on Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, Scotland, Sunday Aug. 10, 2025. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
View of flames and smoke from a fire on Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, Scotland, Sunday Aug. 10, 2025. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
Burned trees are pictured during one of the largest wildfire in decades in Fontjoncouse, southern France, Friday, Aug.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Burned trees are pictured during one of the largest wildfire in decades in Fontjoncouse, southern France, Friday, Aug.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a fire man using a hose next to the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a fire man using a hose next to the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
Burned grapevines are pictured after firefighters contained France’s largest wildfire in decades in Saint Laurent de La Cabrerisse, southern France, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Burned grapevines are pictured after firefighters contained France’s largest wildfire in decades in Saint Laurent de La Cabrerisse, southern France, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a plane flying over the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a plane flying over the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
A burned agricultural machine is pictured after a fire during France’s largest wildfire in decades in Albas, southern France, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
A burned agricultural machine is pictured after a fire during France’s largest wildfire in decades in Albas, southern France, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Wildfires are burning in parts of Europe, displacing thousands, as water-dropping planes and helicopters swoop overhead and residents join the effort, beating back flames with cut branches or dousing them with buckets of water.
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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Local residents and volunteers try to put out a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Local residents and volunteers try to put out a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Local residents and volunteers work together to put out an encroaching wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Local residents and volunteers work together to put out an encroaching wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Bunred bale of straw are pictured during a forest fire in Pareisas, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Bunred bale of straw are pictured during a forest fire in Pareisas, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
A firefighter and men try to control the fire approaching a house during a wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A firefighter and men try to control the fire approaching a house during a wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A helicopter drops water on a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
A helicopter drops water on a wildfire in Larouco, northwestern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)
Burned cars are seen at an impound lot in Kato Achaia, during a wildfire near Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Burned cars are seen at an impound lot in Kato Achaia, during a wildfire near Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man fights against the fire as approaching a house during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man fights against the fire as approaching a house during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man reacts as firefighters and other men try to control an approaching wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man reacts as firefighters and other men try to control an approaching wildfire in Patras city, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man takes away goats during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A man takes away goats during a wildfire in Vounteni, on the outskirts of Patras, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Members of the London Fire Brigade tackle a wildfire on Wanstead Flats in London, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Joanna Chan)
Members of the London Fire Brigade tackle a wildfire on Wanstead Flats in London, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Joanna Chan)
View of flames and smoke from a fire on Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, Scotland, Sunday Aug. 10, 2025. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
View of flames and smoke from a fire on Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, Scotland, Sunday Aug. 10, 2025. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
Burned trees are pictured during one of the largest wildfire in decades in Fontjoncouse, southern France, Friday, Aug.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Burned trees are pictured during one of the largest wildfire in decades in Fontjoncouse, southern France, Friday, Aug.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a fire man using a hose next to the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a fire man using a hose next to the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
Burned grapevines are pictured after firefighters contained France’s largest wildfire in decades in Saint Laurent de La Cabrerisse, southern France, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Burned grapevines are pictured after firefighters contained France’s largest wildfire in decades in Saint Laurent de La Cabrerisse, southern France, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a plane flying over the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
This photo, provided by the Securite Civile on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025, shows a plane flying over the wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP)
A burned agricultural machine is pictured after a fire during France’s largest wildfire in decades in Albas, southern France, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
A burned agricultural machine is pictured after a fire during France’s largest wildfire in decades in Albas, southern France, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Human rights, such as freedom of expression, are under threat in Germany and other European countries, according to the 2024 Human Rights Report by the US State Department.
The report, which in former years has been seen as a reliable point of reference for global human rights advocacy, has been criticized by human rights groups as containing numerous omissions and mischaracterizations to fit the current US administration’s political aims.
The German government rejected the report.
“There is no censorship in Germany,” Deputy Government Spokesman Steffen Meyer said.
“We have a very high level of freedom of expression in Germany, and we will continue to defend it in every form,” he added.
What did the report say about Germany?
“The human rights situation in Germany worsened during the year,” an executive summary of the report’s Germany entry said.
“Significant human rights issues included restrictions on freedom of expression and credible reports of crimes, violence, or threats of violence motivated by antisemitism,” the report said.
The report stated, however, that the German government “took some credible steps to investigate, prosecute, and punish officials who committed human rights abuses.”
The report follows on from comments made by US Vice President JD Vance in February, in which he accused Germany and other European allies of imposing restrictions on free speech and attempting to marginalize far-right parties, including the Alternative for Germany (AfD).
His remarks have been described as “intrusive” by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
El Salvador, which was described in the 2023 report under the Biden administration as having “significant human rights issues,” also got off lightly in 2024.
“There were no credible reports of significant human rights abuses,” the 2024 report said about the Central American country, whose president, Nayib Bukele, is accused of overseeing unlawful and arbitrary killings, torture and harsh prison conditions.
El Salvador got a clean bill in the US rights report despite prisons like theseImage: Alex Brandon/AP/dpa/picture alliance
The Trump administration’s relations with El Salvador have strengthened in recent months, with Washington using a high-security mega-prison in the country to house migrants it has deported under draconian new migration policies.
Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine was referred to in the report mainly as the “Russia-Ukraine war,” though it did say Russia’s forces and officials were reported to have committed war crimes, crimes against humanity and abuses in Ukraine.
In contrast, countries such as South Africa and Brazil, with whose governments Trump has clashed, came in for severe criticism that was not contained in the 2023 report.
‘Reflective of Soviet propaganda’
The report was issued with a delay as officials appointed by US President Donald Trump altered an earlier draft to bring it into line with his administration’s foreign policies and ideological slant.
It was prepared after the department underwent a major revamp during which hundreds of people were dismissed, many from the agency’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, which has a large role in writing the report.
In April, Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote in an opinion piece that the bureau had become a nest of “left-wing activists” and pledged that the Trump administration would change its focus in favor of “Western values.”
“The report demonstrates what happens when political agendas take priority over the facts,” said Josh Paul, a former State Department official and director of nongovernmental organization A New Policy.
“The outcome is a much-abbreviated product that is more reflective of a Soviet propaganda release than of a democratic system,” he told Reuters news agency.
Rights groups Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have also criticized the report, saying the Trump administration had mischaracterized some records of abuses and omitted others to suit its political agenda.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, however, defended the report, saying it had been restructured to improve readability and to stop it from being a list of “politically biased demands and assertions.”
Human rights, such as freedom of expression, are under threat in Germany and other European countries, according to the 2024 Human Rights Report by the US State Department.
The report, which in former years has been seen as a reliable point of reference for global human rights advocacy, has been criticized by human rights groups as containing numerous omissions and mischaracterizations to fit the current US administration’s political aims.
The German government rejected the report.
“There is no censorship in Germany,” Deputy Government Spokesman Steffen Meyer said.
“We have a very high level of freedom of expression in Germany, and we will continue to defend it in every form,” he added.
What did the report say about Germany?
“The human rights situation in Germany worsened during the year,” an executive summary of the report’s Germany entry said.
“Significant human rights issues included restrictions on freedom of expression and credible reports of crimes, violence, or threats of violence motivated by antisemitism,” the report said.
The report stated, however, that the German government “took some credible steps to investigate, prosecute, and punish officials who committed human rights abuses.”
The report follows on from comments made by US Vice President JD Vance in February, in which he accused Germany and other European allies of imposing restrictions on free speech and attempting to marginalize far-right parties, including the Alternative for Germany (AfD).
His remarks have been described as “intrusive” by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
El Salvador, which was described in the 2023 report under the Biden administration as having “significant human rights issues,” also got off lightly in 2024.
“There were no credible reports of significant human rights abuses,” the 2024 report said about the Central American country, whose president, Nayib Bukele, is accused of overseeing unlawful and arbitrary killings, torture and harsh prison conditions.
El Salvador got a clean bill in the US rights report despite prisons like theseImage: Alex Brandon/AP/dpa/picture alliance
The Trump administration’s relations with El Salvador have strengthened in recent months, with Washington using a high-security mega-prison in the country to house migrants it has deported under draconian new migration policies.
Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine was referred to in the report mainly as the “Russia-Ukraine war,” though it did say Russia’s forces and officials were reported to have committed war crimes, crimes against humanity and abuses in Ukraine.
In contrast, countries such as South Africa and Brazil, with whose governments Trump has clashed, came in for severe criticism that was not contained in the 2023 report.
‘Reflective of Soviet propaganda’
The report was issued with a delay as officials appointed by US President Donald Trump altered an earlier draft to bring it into line with his administration’s foreign policies and ideological slant.
It was prepared after the department underwent a major revamp during which hundreds of people were dismissed, many from the agency’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, which has a large role in writing the report.
In April, Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote in an opinion piece that the bureau had become a nest of “left-wing activists” and pledged that the Trump administration would change its focus in favor of “Western values.”
“The report demonstrates what happens when political agendas take priority over the facts,” said Josh Paul, a former State Department official and director of nongovernmental organization A New Policy.
“The outcome is a much-abbreviated product that is more reflective of a Soviet propaganda release than of a democratic system,” he told Reuters news agency.
Rights groups Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have also criticized the report, saying the Trump administration had mischaracterized some records of abuses and omitted others to suit its political agenda.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, however, defended the report, saying it had been restructured to improve readability and to stop it from being a list of “politically biased demands and assertions.”
Human rights, such as freedom of expression, are under threat in Germany and other European countries, according to the 2024 Human Rights Report by the US State Department.
The report, which in former years has been seen as a reliable point of reference for global human rights advocacy, has been criticized by human rights groups as containing numerous omissions and mischaracterizations to fit the current US administration’s political aims.
The German government rejected the report.
“There is no censorship in Germany,” Deputy Government Spokesman Steffen Meyer said.
“We have a very high level of freedom of expression in Germany, and we will continue to defend it in every form,” he added.
What did the report say about Germany?
“The human rights situation in Germany worsened during the year,” an executive summary of the report’s Germany entry said.
“Significant human rights issues included restrictions on freedom of expression and credible reports of crimes, violence, or threats of violence motivated by antisemitism,” the report said.
The report stated, however, that the German government “took some credible steps to investigate, prosecute, and punish officials who committed human rights abuses.”
The report follows on from comments made by US Vice President JD Vance in February, in which he accused Germany and other European allies of imposing restrictions on free speech and attempting to marginalize far-right parties, including the Alternative for Germany (AfD).
His remarks have been described as “intrusive” by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
El Salvador, which was described in the 2023 report under the Biden administration as having “significant human rights issues,” also got off lightly in 2024.
“There were no credible reports of significant human rights abuses,” the 2024 report said about the Central American country, whose president, Nayib Bukele, is accused of overseeing unlawful and arbitrary killings, torture and harsh prison conditions.
El Salvador got a clean bill in the US rights report despite prisons like theseImage: Alex Brandon/AP/dpa/picture alliance
The Trump administration’s relations with El Salvador have strengthened in recent months, with Washington using a high-security mega-prison in the country to house migrants it has deported under draconian new migration policies.
Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine was referred to in the report mainly as the “Russia-Ukraine war,” though it did say Russia’s forces and officials were reported to have committed war crimes, crimes against humanity and abuses in Ukraine.
In contrast, countries such as South Africa and Brazil, with whose governments Trump has clashed, came in for severe criticism that was not contained in the 2023 report.
‘Reflective of Soviet propaganda’
The report was issued with a delay as officials appointed by US President Donald Trump altered an earlier draft to bring it into line with his administration’s foreign policies and ideological slant.
It was prepared after the department underwent a major revamp during which hundreds of people were dismissed, many from the agency’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, which has a large role in writing the report.
In April, Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote in an opinion piece that the bureau had become a nest of “left-wing activists” and pledged that the Trump administration would change its focus in favor of “Western values.”
“The report demonstrates what happens when political agendas take priority over the facts,” said Josh Paul, a former State Department official and director of nongovernmental organization A New Policy.
“The outcome is a much-abbreviated product that is more reflective of a Soviet propaganda release than of a democratic system,” he told Reuters news agency.
Rights groups Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have also criticized the report, saying the Trump administration had mischaracterized some records of abuses and omitted others to suit its political agenda.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, however, defended the report, saying it had been restructured to improve readability and to stop it from being a list of “politically biased demands and assertions.”
