Wars, violence against women, artificial intelligence… a damning report on the human rights situation in the world in 2023

The score increases depending on the participants. It freezes the blood. Human rights are being violated in Africa, international law is being violated in the Middle East, authoritarian excesses in democratic countries… The non-governmental organization Amnesty International presented its annual report on the situation of human rights in the world in 2023 during a press conference on Tuesday.

First observation: the number of armed conflicts is increasing almost everywhere in the world. 2023 was a bloody year due to Burma, Eritrea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine and the Hamas-Israel conflict. “What the report exposes is a lack of respect for fundamental human rights and human dignity,” sighs Jean-Claude Samouiller, president of Amnesty International France. It also condemns the moral bankruptcy of states that have the right to stop atrocities but do nothing. »

Families destroyed in Gaza Strip

What do all these conflicts have in common? “Disrespect for civilians.” Examples include Ukraine, where the country was subjected to “indiscriminate and even deliberate bombing” for two years, or Burma, where the regular army “bombs and burns villages.” In response to conflicts between states, the NGO president points to the “almost complete paralysis of the international system” by demanding “complete reform” of the veto power of the five permanent members of the Security Council, as intended. to guarantee peace.

The NGO recalls the current situation in the Gaza Strip, where almost “34,000 Palestinians” have been killed in the past six months. Budur Hassan, Amnesty International researcher in Jerusalem, called for the “unconditional release of hostages” held by Hamas and other armed groups since October 7, while deploring the “destruction” of “almost the entire Gaza Strip” by Israeli authorities in response to the attack. “We interviewed people who had lost almost their entire family: father, mother, sister, brother, children, grandchildren… In one of the families, the oldest victim was 86 years old, the youngest was only a few years old. weeks,” she says.

Contrasting picture with women’s rights

Another negative aspect of 2023: an increase in violent backlash against women’s rights. The most significant example is Afghanistan, where the Taliban returned to power in 2021, reducing women’s rights month after month. “Half the population is invisible,” recalls Jean-Claude Samouiller. Girls aged 12 and over can no longer go to school. Young women can no longer pursue higher education, work in the public sector or walk the streets without being accompanied by a male family member…”

Other countries have seen progress. In Honduras, birth control pills are no longer illegal. In Mexico, the right to abortion is no longer a crime. In Finland and Spain, the right to abortion has been simplified. Conversely, the United States suffered a profound setback on this issue last year, with fifteen states effectively banning abortion rights.

homosexuality is illegal in 62 countries

On LGBT rights, the NGO notes “some progress” in Mexico, Taiwan and Namibia, where same-sex marriage is now legal. “But there is a more general stagnation,” recalls Jean-Claude Samouiller. Same-sex sexual activity is still a crime in 62 countries, and in 12 countries such as Uganda, a new law this year even makes it punishable by death. »

In other countries, inequality is increasing. “Every second person in the world does not have social protection,” explains the NGO president. In 2023, the World Bank said the world has never been richer, but economic inequality has never been greater. » Famine threatens some groups of the population: in Sierra Leone, 78% of the population is food insecure; 46% in Sudan; 93% in the Gaza Strip.

Artificial Intelligence Warning

Amnesty International France questions the rapid pace of development of artificial intelligence systems. “These systems are presented by those who develop them, positioning them as “technical solutions”, answers to security issues,” says Katia Roux, technology and human rights specialist at Amnesty International France. However, instead of addressing these structural problems, they reinforce racism and discrimination. They perpetuate attacks on fundamental rights. »

In 2023, many states will turn to facial recognition technologies to identify people in public places: Brazil, Argentina, Great Britain, India, etc. “These are technologies that make it possible to control entire sections of the population within a territory. “, she continues.

The NGO also highlights social media. “2023 demonstrated the harm caused by the business model of these large platforms,” explains Katya Roux. For example, last year we documented how meta-algorithms increased hatred and violence against members of the Tigrayan community in Eritrea. »

In France, “the security imperative has taken precedence over the protection of freedoms”

The NGO also singled out France in particular for its “deployment of surveillance tools in public spaces.” “We see an increase in experiments with facial recognition, algorithmic video surveillance in cities, in public transport… They have become a systematic response to security issues. ”, notes Katya Ru. This trend led to the trial legalization of algorithmic video surveillance during this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris. “This is another step towards the use of facial recognition,” the specialist notes. We are beginning to see the outlines of a society of surveillance, suspicion and self-censorship. »

In addition to the video surveillance, Nathalie Godard, director of action at Amnesty International France, notes “a report of a deteriorating human rights situation in France,” based in part on the latest report of the Human Rights Defender. She refers to Parliament’s vote on immigration legislation or several demonstrations banned during the year. “The security imperative has taken precedence over the protection of freedoms,” she warns. We wonder how far this decline will go. »