Amnesty International Targets US ÷ America Joins the Third World
In a dramatic shift from its past efforts, Amnesty International (AI), the respected human rights watchdog organization, announced a new campaign against human rights violations in the U.S. This marks the first time AI has targeted a western country with a major campaign. AI is best known for its work to end abuses in third world countries, and in 1977 the group received the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts.
In October, AI released a 150-page report that accuses the U.S. of "failing to deliver the fundamental promise of rights for all," and calls on the U.S. to "act now to bring its laws and practices into line with international standards."
Although the American legal system claims to protect civil rights, the report documents widespread discrimination and abuse by law enforcement and the government, including police brutality and deaths in custody, violence in prisons, and racist application of the death penalty. The U.S. also executes juvenile offenders and the mentally impaired, contrary to international treaties.
The full text of the report is on the Internet at www.rightsforall-usa.org
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