Amnesty International has called world leaders shameful and ineffective for failing to respond to the threat posed by Boko Haram and other terrorist groups that are currently causing mayhem across the globe.
In a recently-published 415-page annual report detailing abuses in 160 countries, Amnesty International accused governments of pretending the protection of civilians is beyond their power.
In a recently-published 415-page annual report detailing abuses in 160 countries, Amnesty International accused governments of pretending the protection of civilians is beyond their power.
Calling 2014 a catastrophic year, the report said millions of civilians had been killed in Syria, Ukraine, Gaza and Nigeria, while the number of displaced people around the world exceeded 50m for the first time since the end of World War Two.
Amnesty International’s secretary general, Shalil Shetty, said: “2014 was a catastrophic year for millions caught up in violence and the global response to conflict and abuses by states and armed groups has been shameful and ineffective. As people suffered an escalation in barbarous attacks and repression, the international community has been found wanting.”
He warned that the situation would get worse this year unless leaders took immediate action. Amnesty International singled out the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for criticism, pointing out that it had miserably failed to protect civilians.
According to Mr Shetty, the five permanent UNSC members Britain, China, France, Russia and the US, consistently abused their veto right to promote their political self-interest or geopolitical interests above the interest of protecting civilians. He is now urging the five states to give up their right to veto action in cases where genocide and other mass killings are being committed.
Mr Shetty's proposals are similar to a push being led by France with the backing of 70 countries and Amnesty International hopes its support will give the idea fresh impetus. According to the human rights group, the move would give the UN a better chance to save civilian lives in conflict zones.
Amnesty International also urged all states to abide by a treaty regulating the global arms trade which came into force last year, saying this could help stop huge shipments of weapons to countries like Syria and Iraq. In addition, it called for new restrictions on the use of explosive weapons like mortars and rockets in populated areas.
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