“A gloomy picture” – Amnesty: “International law largely invalid!”

“The suppression of human rights and widespread violations of international law are alarming, especially in light of rising global inequality, superpower competition for dominance and an escalating climate crisis,” said Executive Director Shoura Hashemi. “It’s a bleak picture,” she adds.

Reform of the UN Security Council necessary
It calls for “urgent action to revitalize and renew international institutions,” such as reforming the UN Security Council, “so that permanent members cannot exercise their veto power unchecked to prevent the protection of civilians and their geopolitical alliances to consolidate.”

The failure of the international community to protect thousands of civilians, including many children, from death in the Gaza Strip makes it clear that the institutions established to protect the civilian population and uphold human rights are no longer fit for purpose.

Indiscriminate attacks on civilians
Amnesty documents indiscriminate attacks on densely populated civilian areas and on energy production and grain export infrastructure, as well as torture and other ill-treatment of prisoners of war.

“What we have seen in 2023 confirms that many powerful states are turning their backs on the fundamental principles of humanity and universality enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” Hashemi said.