Africa/Global: Amnesty Says U.S.-Led War On Terror Undermines Human Rights

Human rights and humanitarian laws are under greater threat worldwide than at any time since the United Nations was founded more than half a century ago, Amnesty International says. In its annual report, the London-based human rights group cites attacks on civilians by extremist groups such as al-Qaeda that should be considered crimes under international law, with some amounting to crimes against humanity. But the report also blames the erosion of human rights on the U.S.-led war on terror, saying that governments that have pledged to fight terrorism are ignoring international laws and human rights principles.