Amnesty International's annual report entitled "The Amnesty International Report 2017/18 shines a light on the state of the world’s human rights during 2017," was published. The report cautioned that in 2017, globalizing discourses are increased and discrimination was normalized.
Amnesty International Secretary-General Salil Shetty said, "The past year has been buried in world crises."
Ethnic cleansing in Myanmar
Shetty noted the ethnic cleansing of the Myanmar army against Arakanese Muslims, saying, "Throughout 2017, millions across the world experienced the bitter fruits of a rising politics of demonization. Its ultimate consequences were laid bare in the horrific military campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya people in Myanmar." The report states that the Myanmar army, which has been working with police on the border, has massacred an indefinite number of Arakanese Muslims, tortured them, extended their hands to the honor of women and girls, laid land mines and burned villagers.
It has been noted in the report that the crime against humanity has been committed in many countries, from Myanmar to Iraq, South Sudan to Syria and Yemen, and the weak response to war crimes has been noted. The report says that at the end of 2017, the number of people killed in conflicts in Syria surpassed 400,000 and that 11 million Syrians were displaced both inside and outside the country. In Syria, there were expressions of the use of chemical weapons and other banned weapons by the armed sides, especially by the Syrian regime, Russia, and with its allies targeting civilians.
There is unprecedented pressure on the opposition in Egypt
According to Amnesty International's report, hundreds of activists were killed in 2017, the media tried to silence, and states shamelessly pursued human rights defenders. Human rights trials in Egypt have been hampered in an unprecedented way; NGOs have been closed down, their assets frozen, and a five-year prison sentence for publication of the research without the government's permission.
Zionists expand occupation territories
The report also pointed out that the zionists expanded their settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and severely restricted Palestinian freedom of movement. It is stated that the coalition under the leadership of Saudi Arabia in Yemen continues its casual attacks, and the civilians were killed and wounded during these attacks. It is reported that four-quarters of the 28 million people in Yemen are in need of assistance and that this has turned into the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
The Greek islands are actually turned into prison for the refugees
Amnesty International stressed that the refugee crisis also among the top issues of this year and that due to the European Union deals with Libya and Turkiye, the number of refugees declined. It was emphasized that the EU has increased its efforts to stop irregular migration and continues to send refugees and immigrants who need protection.
It is stated that the Greek islands have turned into a prison for refugees and immigrants, and about 13,000 asylum seekers are waiting in the camps on inadequate conditions. The report also criticized the EU states for working with the actors responsible for the violations in Libya, including torture and extortion.
The US has stepped back on human rights
Amnesty International warned that US President Donald Trump has stepped back on human rights and that this is a dangerous precedent. "Major regression in human rights was also driven by a series of executive orders issued by US President Donald Trump, including what became known as the 'Muslim ban' and plans to build a wall along the US border with Mexico," read the report.
ILKHA