In its annual report, Amnesty International has raised a red flag over the alarming decline of international law. The organization points to the blatant violations in Gaza and Ukraine, the proliferation of armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarian regimes, and the severe human rights abuses in Sudan, Ethiopia, and Myanmar, laying much of the blame at the feet of influential governments.
According to the report, the United States, Russia, and China have played a leading role in eroding the universal values and principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Agnes Callamard, Amnesty’s Secretary General, has labeled the current level of disregard for international order as “unprecedented,” citing Israel’s disregard for international law during its attacks on Gaza and the failure of its allies to intervene.
The report further highlights the United States’ failure to condemn Israel’s rights violations and its use of veto power to block a UN Security Council resolution for a Gaza cease-fire, as well as Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine. Additionally, China’s arming of Myanmar’s military and its evasion of scrutiny over its treatment of the Uyghur minority have come under fire.
Amnesty International also notes an increasing backlash against women’s rights and gender equality, including violent crackdowns on women’s protests in Iran, Taliban policies designed to eliminate women from public life in Afghanistan, and legal restrictions on abortion in the US and Poland.
The report warns of the potential dangers posed by unchecked technological advancements, particularly artificial intelligence and mass surveillance tools, which could fuel conflict, infringe on rights and freedoms, and exacerbate divisions during critical election years. Callamard stresses the need to prevent the weaponization of these technologies for discrimination, misinformation, and societal fragmentation.
Amnesty International’s report, which evaluates the human rights situation in 155 countries, serves as a stark reminder of the erosion of international law and the urgent need for accountability and adherence to global norms to protect human rights.
