World response to armed groups like IS ‘shameful’: Amnesty

World leaders have proved “shameful and ineffective” in failing to protect civilians from groups like Islamic State (IS), Amnesty International said Wednesday, calling 2014 a “catastrophic” year. In its 415-page annual report detailing abuses in 160 countries, the group accused governments of “pretending the protection of civilians is beyond their power.” It said millions of civilians had been killed from Syria to Ukraine, Gaza to Nigeria, while the number of displaced people around the world exceeded 50 million last year for the first time since the end of World War II.

2014 was a catastrophic year for millions caught up in violence. The global response to conflict and abuses by states and armed groups has been shameful and ineffective. As people suffered an escalation in barbarous attacks and repression, the international community has been found wanting.

Shalil Shetty, Amnesty’s secretary general

It warned that the situation would get worse this year unless leaders took immediate action. Amnesty singled out the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for criticism, with Shetty saying it had “miserably failed” to protect civilians. The five permanent UNSC members — Britain, China, France, Russia and the US — “consistently abused” their veto right to “promote their political self-interest or geopolitical interest above the interest of protecting civilians,” he added. Amnesty is now urging the five states to give up their right to veto action in cases where genocide and other mass killings are being committed. This proposal is similar to a push being led by France with the backing of 70 countries, but Amnesty hopes its support will give the idea fresh impetus.

IS fighters committed widespread war crimes, including ethnic cleansing of religious and ethnic minorities through a campaign of mass killings of men and abduction and sexual and other abuse of women and girls.

Amnesty Report

World Amnesty