The human rights watchdog Amnesty International, in its 2025/2026 annual report, has documented a global rise in human rights violations committed by both state and non-state actors. The report paints a bleak picture, stating that 2025 was marked by many powerful individuals acting like 'predators.'

Amnesty specifically denounces political leaders such as Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing them of pursuing economic and political domination through destruction, suppression, and large-scale violence. The report alleges that these leaders have abandoned the rules-based international order.

Julia Duchrow, secretary general of Amnesty International in Germany, identified the war in Iran as the most pressing issue. She claimed that Iranians face a dual threat: unlawful attacks by the US and Israel, and repression by their own government, which has resulted in thousands of deaths. Duchrow argued that the regime in Tehran can only be replaced if international law is respected.

However, Israel's ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, contradicted this view, stating that Iran's leadership pursues a policy of annihilating Israel and that its ideology is deadly.

The report also notes that in early 2026, some EU member states distanced themselves from the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, refusing to join the conflict and committing to protect strategic security. Amnesty praised these actions as a rare example of upholding international norms.

Despite the grim findings, the report highlights positive developments: protests in Iran despite mortal danger, the electoral defeat of Viktor Orban's inhumane policies in Hungary, and the release of Belarusian activist Maria Kolesnikova after five years in detention.

Source: www.dw.com