Amnesty International Report Highlights Growing Threats To Global Human Rights

Summary of Key Findings:

• Global Human Rights Under Siege: Amnesty International’s annual report for 2024 warns that the global human rights system is facing a “multiplicity of assaults”—a trend that has intensified since the return of Donald Trump to power. The report states that forces are seeking to undermine international human rights standards, built post-World War II, putting millions of lives at risk, especially in regions like the Middle East, Sudan, Ukraine, and Afghanistan.
• US, Russia, and China Criticized: The report specifically calls out major powers, such as the US, Russia, and China, for undermining international law and for their roles in promoting policies that exacerbate poverty and discrimination. Trump’s return to power is viewed as a “super-accelerator” of these damaging trends, particularly with his administration’s actions like freezing international aid and reducing funding to key UN organizations.
• International Accountability and Blocked Action: Amnesty highlighted how powerful governments have repeatedly blocked attempts to hold perpetrators accountable for atrocities, with references to Israel, Hungary, and others undermining international justice mechanisms like the International Criminal Court (ICC).
• Israel’s Actions in Gaza: One of the most contentious points in the report was its accusation that Israel has engaged in a “live-streamed genocide” in Gaza. Amnesty claimed that Israel’s military occupation of Gaza was marked by deliberate humanitarian crises and forced displacement. The organization echoed calls from others like HRW and Doctors Without Borders, who have also accused Israel of genocide, though Israel strongly rejects such claims.
• Sudan’s Displacement Crisis: The ongoing conflict in Sudan between the regular army and RSF paramilitaries has led to the largest forced displacement crisis in the world today, with 12 million people displaced. Amnesty criticized the global indifference to the crisis, which it says has been largely ignored by the international community.
• Women’s Rights Under Threat: Amnesty noted a surge in violence and discrimination against women, particularly in conflict zones like Afghanistan and Sudan, where women’s rights have been severely restricted under Taliban rule.
• AI and Human Rights: Finally, the report emphasized the urgent need for governments to regulate AI technologies to prevent abuses of human rights. It also raised concerns over the growing use of spyware and surveillance tools to target opposition figures and dissidents.

Conclusion:

Amnesty International’s 2024 report paints a dire picture of global human rights setbacks, highlighting the role of powerful governments in obstructing international law and justice. It stresses the need for global resistance to safeguard human rights, particularly amidst growing threats from conflict, discrimination, and emerging technologies.