The report speaks about the women’s rights and raises the concern regarding domestic violence. “Governments must promote women’s equality and address discrimination against women if they are going to make progress on the Millennium Development Goals,” said Claudio Cordone.
The report assesses the situation regarding the right to assembly and association. The report highlights the fact that the cases of the violence during demonstrations in Spring 2009 has not been investigated; the cases of excessive use of force by law-enforcers on May 6 and June 15 has not been investigated as well. Amnesty International refers to the violence towards journalists during demonstrations.
Amnesty International Report 2010: State of the World’s Human Rights documents abuses in 159 countries. The organization said that powerful governments are blocking advances in international justice by standing above the law on human rights, shielding allies from criticism and acting only when politically convenient.
“Repression and injustice are flourishing in the global justice gap, condemning millions of people to abuse, oppression and poverty,” said Claudio Cordone, interim Secretary General of Amnesty International.
“Governments must ensure that no one is above the law, and that everyone has access to justice for all human rights violations. Until governments stop subordinating justice to political self-interest, freedom from fear and freedom from want will remain elusive for most of humanity.”
Amnesty International called on governments to ensure accountability for their own actions, fully sign up to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and ensure that crimes under international law can be prosecuted anywhere in the world.
Human rights organizations and human rights defenders came under attack in many countries, with governments preventing their work or failing to protect them.
