Amnesty losing credibility fast
published: Wednesday | March 19, 2003
THE EDITOR, Sir:
ANNIE SPENCER hits the nail on the head when she asserts that Ministers meeting with Amnesty International (AI) is a waste of time. Like the local human rights organisation which lost its credibility because it was perceived as catering for only the criminal elements, AI is fast becoming that type of organisation. The perception is that it picks on Third World countries and makes a 'big splash' when an assumed outrage occurs.
Several states in the USA still hang offenders, I don't see them meeting with Congress to discuss those issues.
Are there no Human Rights abuses in the "developed countries"? Of course, there are but those countries ignore their interference. As a civilised society we cannot prevent them from entering the country but I don't think the press should give any credence to their visits. After all, their comments will be negative and it is easy for them in their First World comfort to sit in judgement of others who are feeling the reality of criminal elements.
Does AI have a section for the victims of criminals? Who is protecting the rights of the families left behind? By all means let them enter, do whatever they think should be done and completely ignore them without even a column in the print media.
