Introduction
The world is witnessing a near-breakdown of international law, as warned by Amnesty International in its annual report. The report highlights flagrant rule-breaking in conflict zones like Gaza and Ukraine, a rise in authoritarianism, and significant human rights violations in countries such as Sudan, Ethiopia, and Myanmar.
Global Disregard for International Rules
Amnesty International points out that powerful governments like the US, Russia, and China have led to a disregard for international rules and values enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The report emphasizes that civilians in conflict zones bear the brunt of these violations.
Violations of International Order
Agnes Callamard, Amnesty’s secretary general, describes the level of violation of international order witnessed in the past year as “unprecedented.” She criticizes Israel for its disregard for international law and its allies’ failure to prevent civilian casualties in Gaza. The report also mentions the US’s silence on rights violations by Israel and Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
Backlash Against Women’s Rights
The report highlights an increasing backlash against women’s rights and gender equality in 2023. It mentions the suppression of women’s protests in Iran, the Taliban’s efforts to erase women from public life in Afghanistan, and legal restrictions on abortion in countries like the US and Poland.
The rights organisation also warns about the potential misuse of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and mass surveillance tools, which could be deployed to disrupt rights and freedoms and create discord in society.
