Human rights organization Amnesty International complains that the West “applies with double standards.” For example, Russian crimes are investigated and convicted, but Chinese crimes against the Uighurs are not. The treatment of refugees from Ukraine and people from Syria, Afghanistan or Libya is equally unequal.
“We have seen Russian violations of international law condemned, crimes investigated and borders opened to refugees around the world. This response should be a blueprint for how we address all gross violations of human rights,” said Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International. Russia’s “resolute and welcome approach” stands in “stark contrast to completely inadequate measures in the face of the current conflicts,” according to the 2022/23 annual report.
China not condemned
Ethiopia and Myanmar are mentioned as examples. The West’s “double standards” have given governments such as those in China, Egypt and Saudi Arabia “the necessary cover” to avoid criticism of their human rights record. Despite massive human rights violations against the Uyghurs in China last year, Beijing escaped international condemnation from the United Nations General Assembly, Security Council and Human Rights Council.
According to Amnesty International, demonstrations around the world are currently being curbed and criticism suppressed. In Iran, for example, the authorities have reacted extremely brutally to the protests. For Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, 2022 was “one of the deadliest years since the United Nations began recording casualties in 2006.” Rather than calling for an end to these human rights abuses, many Western governments have moved to attack those who denounce these injustices, the report’s authors wrote.
Kugler: ‘Don’t forget other crisis regions’
Among other things, they advocate reforming the UN Security Council and strengthening international institutions that are supposed to protect our rights. ÖVP human rights spokeswoman Gudrun Kugler said in a broadcast on Tuesday that Austria is already committed to human rights. “The war crimes committed in the context of the offensive war against Ukraine are gross violations of human rights on European soil. In addition, other crisis regions should not be forgotten,” said the ministry.
People “wanting to enter Europe under the guise of an asylum application would particularly overload the Austrian asylum system.” Amnesty had criticized that refugees from Ukraine would not be treated the same as people from Syria, Afghanistan or Libya.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
