The annual report of International Amnesty draws attention to the “racist double standards” of the West when addressing different situations of human rights violations.
The organization gives as an example the different treatment that has been done to the ukrainian refugees with respect to those of others countries of origin.
Philip Luther, Amnesty International’s senior research and policy adviser, notes: “They did not offer the same treatment to those fleeing war and repression in Syria and Afghanistan. Also the US, of course – very critical of the Russian aggression in Ukraine – in hosting tens of thousands of Ukrainians fleeing the war. But in dealing with Haitian asylum seekers, Haitian asylum seekers, they were arbitrarily detained and inflicted with humiliating ill-treatment amounting to racially motivated torture.”
The organization also highlights that some measures taken against Russiasuch as the UN General Assembly voting to condemn his actions in Ukraine, and the opening of an investigation by the International Criminal Court into the crimes in Ukraine, have backfired in some places.
Philip Luther adds: “European states, among others, also exhibited double standards, because while they condemned Russia, they condoned or were complicit in grave violations committed by their allies Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Israel, among others. Last year , Russia was able to use its veto power in the UN Security Council, something that cannot be allowed. And it served to give countries a voice in situations that have traditionally been ignored, especially in the south of the planet.”
Another of the main calls for attention has to do with the introduction of new laws to appease protests. Amnesty International is calling on governments to stop using excessive force and to support negotiations to pass a new treaty to control trade in police equipment.