Amnesty International report denounces the West’s “double standards”

Amnesty International’s annual report draws attention to the West’s “racist double standards” in the face of human rights violations.

The organization gives as an example the reception of Ukrainian refugees according to their country of origin.

“They didn’t offer the same treatment to those fleeing war and repression in Syria and Afghanistan,” said Philip Luther, senior research and policy adviser at Amnesty International. “The United States too, of course, a vocal critic of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, in a welcome move, also admitted tens of thousands of Ukrainians fleeing the war. But they submitted claimants asylum seekers to arbitrary detention, humiliating mistreatment that amounted to racially-based torture”.

The organization also claims that certain measures taken against Russia, such as the United Nations General Assembly’s vote to condemn its actions in Ukraine, and the opening of an investigation by the International Criminal Court into crimes in Ukraine, showed inconsistency.

“European states, among others, have also exercised double standards, as while condemning Russia, they have tolerated or been complicit in grave violations committed by their allies Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Israel, among others,” Luther said. “Last year Russia was able to use its veto power to cripple the UN Security Council, which simply cannot be allowed to continue. And it has used it to give voice to countries in situations traditionally ignored, especially in the countries of the South.

Amnesty International is also drawing attention to new laws aimed at calming protests – calling on governments to stop using excessive force and control the trade in law enforcement equipment.

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