Amnesty Report Decries ‘Politics of Fear’

[babylonsister]

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/23/1406/

Amnesty Report Decries ‘Politics of Fear’
by Eli Clifton

WASHINGTON - The “politics of fear” are polarising the world and leading to an erosion of human rights, according to Amnesty International’s annual report released Wednesday.

The report also offers a stinging rebuke to the human rights policy of the United States both at home and abroad.

“Fear thrives in myopic and cowardly leadership. There are indeed many real causes of fear but the approach being taken by many world leaders is short-sighted, promulgating policies and strategies that erode the rule of law and human rights, increase inequalities, feed racism and xenophobia, divide and damage communities, and sow the seeds for violence and more conflict,” the report says.

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“A new (U.S.) Congress could take the lead in setting the trend, restoring respect for human rights at home and abroad,” said Khan. “Just as global warming requires global action based on international cooperation, the human rights meltdown can only be tackled through global solidarity and respect for international law.”

“The global mood, the result of such unending tragedies as the conflict in Iraq, the repression of freedoms in China and the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, is bleak at best,” said Amnesty International’s executive director, Larry Cox.

“For many victims, advocates and human rights defenders, the United States has always been a beacon of hope and a leader in justice,” he said. “Now is not the time for a few improvements at home but for colossal actions that carry the world forward in the name of human rights.”