By John Ikani
Amnesty International has raised concerns about what it perceives as double standards among Western nations supporting Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The group’s Secretary General, Agnès Callamard, drew attention to the inconsistency, highlighting how Western nations rally behind Ukraine when facing Russian aggression but refrain from similar support for Gaza amid Israel’s invasion.
According to her, the apparent double standard is a significant threat to human rights.
“It is reflected right now in the double standard that we are witnessing: the Western bloc demanding that we all rush to the defence of Ukraine as we should because Ukraine has been aggressed by Russia and they are unbelievably suffering in Ukraine; and at the same time telling us not to act on the multiple bombing and absolute suffering of the people of Gaza. The double standard of those governments, you know, to me is the bigger threat to human rights right now,” Callamard said on Friday.
Amnesty International’s plea for a Gaza ceasefire aligns with similar appeals from various nations worldwide. The conflict in Gaza began on October 7 with a Hamas militant attack targeting towns, farming communities, and a music festival near the Gaza border. The assault resulted in the tragic loss of at least 1,200 lives.
In response, Israel initiated a series of attacks in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, resulting in a reported death toll exceeding 11,000 people, with a majority being Palestinian civilians. The situation continues to unfold, prompting ongoing calls for a resolution to alleviate the human suffering caused by the conflict.
