Amnesty urges Trump to uphold human rights

Amnesty International has urged US president-elect Donald Trump to commit to upholding human rights, criticising his "poisonous rhetoric" following the Republican candidate's election victory.

Mr Trump has "raised serious concerns about the strength of commitment we can expect to see from the United States towards human rights in the future," said Salil Shetty, secretary general of the London-based group.

"He must now put this behind him and both reaffirm and abide by the United States' obligations on human rights, at home and abroad," Ms Shetty said.

Margaret Huang, executive director of Amnesty International USA, criticised "disturbing and, at times, poisonous rhetoric" from Trump in the campaign.

"This rhetoric cannot and must not become government policy. The xenophobic, sexist and other hateful remarks made by Trump have no place in government.

World leaders take stock of Trump win

Politicians worldwide took stock of Donald Trump's shock US election victory, with the president-elect winning praise from far-right figures and cautious welcome from key US allies.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a telegram to Mr Trump, "expressed hope for mutual work on bringing US-Russia relations out of their critical condition".

European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said: "EU-US ties are deeper than any change in politics. We'll continue to work together, rediscovering the strength of Europe."

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, via Twitter: "Only by cooperating closely can the EU and the US continue to make a difference when dealing with unprecedented challenges such as Daesh (the Islamic State group), the threats to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, climate change and migration."

The UN's climate chief congratulated Mr Trump, who has called global warming a hoax and threatened to "cancel" the climate-rescue Paris Agreement, on his victory in the US presidential election.

"We look forward to engaging with his administration to take the climate action agenda forward for the benefit of the peoples of the globe," Patricia Espinosa said in a statement.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg: "US leadership is as important as ever... A strong NATO is good for the United States, and good for Europe."

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who leads a right-wing coalition with a strong anti-immigration stance: "Congratulations. What a great news. Democracy is still alive."

British Prime Minister Theresa May congratulated Mr Trump saying Britain and the US have an enduring and special relationship.

Ms May said that the US and Britain will remain strong, close partners on trade, security and defence.

British eurosceptic politician Nigel Farage, instrumental in promoting Britain's shock vote in June to leave the European Union:

"I hand over the mantle to @realDonaldTrump! Many congratulations. You have fought a brave campaign."

French politician Marine Le Pen, head of the far-right anti-immigration National Front (FN) party: "Congratulations to the new president of the United States Donald Trump and to the free American people".

Matteo Salvini, leader of Italy's far-right anti-immigration party the Northern League, via Twitter: "Now it's our turn."

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, offering "heartfelt congratulations": "Japan and the United States are unshakeable allies connected by common values such as freedom, democracy, basic human rights and rule of law."

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif: "Every US president has to understand the realities of today's world. The most important thing is that the future US president sticks to agreements, to engagements undertaken."

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, through a spokesman: "We are ready to deal with the elected president on the basis of a two-state solution and to establish a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders."

Lech Walesa, Nobel peace prize winner and former Polish president: "We have to fix the democratic system because if we do not, we will see more of this kind of incident or, worse, democracy will find itself out on the street."

Australian Foreign Minister Julia Bishop: "We will do what we can to ensure the new US administration is focused on our region because that is in our national interest."

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven: "This is an election outcome that many people feel concerned about but that we have prepared for.

Sweden has a long tradition of cooperation with US governments, regardless of party political affiliations, and the Swedish government will contact the administration... to safeguard Swedish and European interests, and to promote global security and stability."

Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders: "We will judge him by his deeds."

'Relationship between US and Ireland unlikely to change'

The US Ambassador to Ireland has said that everyone who followed the American election will be surprised at the 'length and breadth' of the results.

Kevin O'Malley said he did not believe the result will change the relationship between the US and Ireland.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland Mr O' Malley said that the new president will now have to take time to work with a transition team and come up with a way that to govern, as opposed to campaign.

We will get along with nations willing to get along with us - Trump

Addressing supporters in New York after winning the state of Wisconsin which placed Mr Trump firmly on the path to victory, the Republican nominee said "I have just received a call from Secretary Clinton. She congratulated us....and I congratulated her on a hard fought battle."

He said that Mrs Clinton deserves alot of gratitude for the work she has done for the US and made a pledge to be a president for all Americans.

"We will get along with all other nations....willing to get along with us" he added.