Amnesty Intl report blames global violence on state arms trade

(Vatican Radio) Amnesty International released its annual report today, underlining the “horrific violence by states and armed groups” in 2014, as well as what they call the “global failure to protect civilians.”

Listen to Vatican Radio's interview with Amnesty International’s Philip Luther:

Statistics show armed groups having committed abuses in 35 out of the 160 countries covered in the report.

“Our analysis looking across the board is that, really, world leaders must confront what is the changing face of conflict”, said Philip Luther, director of Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa program.

Luther explained that Amnesty International is “urging a fundamental shift in the approach to ensure the protection of civilians in armed conflict,” as well as “an effective response to what is a rising threat of armed groups.”

The report looks at the “appalling suffering” of hundreds of thousands of civilians killed or injured in the regions of conflict,which in turn has forced millions of people to flee their countries, said Luther.

Speaking specifically with regard to Syria, he said “the international community has really abandoned these refugees,” noting that 95 percent are residing in just five neighbouring countries.

The report calls states to task for contributing to the violence by selling weapons to countries, such as Iraq and Syria where conflict is rife. 

Interview and article by Ann Schneible