Amnesty International criticizes the “double morality of the West”
The international human rights organization Amnesty International (AI), in its annual report on the situation of human rights in the world, strongly condemned the West’s double morality. “The West’s determined response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine stands in stark contrast to the deplorable lack of meaningful action against serious violations by some of its allies, including Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt,” the AI report said.presented on Monday, March 28th.
“The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a terrible example of what can happen when states believe they can disregard international law and violate human rights without hindrance,” said Amnesty Secretary General Agnes Callamard. “The reaction to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has shown us what can be done if the political will is there? According to her, such a reaction with tough sanctions should become a model for combating other human rights violations.
However, the West’s toughness towards Moscow contrasts sharply with its condescension towards other countries. Western double standards have allowed several states to avoid criticism of human rights violations, emphasizes the Amnesty report. This leads to impunity and instability across the world. In particular, human rights activists cited “a deafening silence about the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia, the inaction against Egypt and the refusal to confront the Israeli apartheid system against the Palestinians” as an example.
AI Germany: War in Ukraine is a catalyst for human rights situation
Markus Beeko, secretary general of the German section of Amnesty International, pointed out that the Russian invasion of Ukraine acts as a catalyst to reinforce negative human rights trends. According to him, addressed to Germany and the European Union, “those who allege violations of human rights in other countries and demand their observance must put things in order in their own house”.
Beko praised Germany’s acceptance of more than a million refugees from Ukraine. But giving people protection also means providing resources to ensure they have good housing and can participate in society. “For that, local authorities must count on the constant support of the federal government”, she pointed out. “Unbureaucratic assistance for people from Ukraine should become a model for working with people seeking protection around the world.”
Trends in 2002: Increased migration and protests
According to AI, 103 million people worldwide were forced to leave their places of permanent residence in 2022. That’s 20 million more than in 2021 and more than ever before.
Along with an unprecedented increase in migration, 2022 is characterized by the growth of social protests around the world and their violent repression.
According to Markus Beko, security forces used illegal force against protesters in 85 of the 156 states covered by the report. They used lethal weapons in 35 countries and protesters were killed in 33 countries. Furthermore, in 79 countries, activists were subjected to arbitrary arrests. The right to peaceful protest was restricted in 29 countries.
Criticism of the situation in Germany
Amid growing state violence against protest movements around the world, it is important that freedom of assembly in Germany remains a priority, warned Beko. That is why Amnesty International has criticized the fact that a growing number of federal states are adopting repressive assembly laws that limit the right to peaceful protest and expand police powers.
Beko has also demanded that the German government and the EU ban the development, sale and export of biometric surveillance technology. These technologies are used, for example, in Iran or Russia to spy on protesters.
Amnesty also expressed concern about the lack of investigation into allegations of discriminatory racial discrimination in Germany.
Source: DW
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