Amnesty International Fronts for Power

by Stephen Lendman

It's an imperial tool. It fronts for power, wealth and privilege. It receives generous corporate foundation donations. According to Francis Boyle:

"Amnesty International is primarily motivated not by human rights but by publicity. Second comes money."

"Third comes getting more members. Fourth, internal turf battles. And then finally, human rights, genuine human rights concerns."

"To be sure, if you are dealing with a human rights situation in a country that is at odds with the United States or Britain, it gets an awful lot of attention, resources, man and woman power, publicity, you name it. They can throw whatever they want at that."

"But if it's dealing with violations of human rights by the United States, Britain, Israel, then it's like pulling teeth to get them to really do something on the situation."

"They might, very reluctantly and after an enormous amount of internal fightings and battles and pressures, you name it. But you know, it's not like the official enemies list."

AI's commitment to human rights is hollow. It's hypercritical. It's on the wrong side of history. It's well compensated for services rendered.

On September 7, it headlined "Ukraine: Mounting evidence of war crimes and Russian involvement."

It said "(a)ll sides in this conflict have shown disregard for civilian lives and are blatantly violating their international obligations."

It claimed so-called evidence showing "Russia is fueling the conflict, both through direct interference and by supporting the separatists in the East."

"Russia must stop the steady flow of weapons and other support to an insurgent force heavily implicated in gross human rights violations."

Fact check:

Ukraine's army, its neo-Nazi-infested National Guard and brigades, as well as Blackwater USA (now Academi) type mercenaries bear full responsibility for naked aggression and atrocities.

For committing high crimes against peace.

Southeastern Ukrainian freedom fighters responded in self-defense. They did so justifiably. They courageously resist.

They've done so effectively. Nothing suggests they violated their international obligations.

The right to self-defense is inviolable. It's universal. AI didn't explain. It lied suggesting otherwise.

Ukraine's military suffered humiliating losses. Its ranks were decimated. They're in disarray.

They're regrouping. They're preparing for more aggression.

Throughout months of conflict, Russia has gone all-out for diplomatic resolution.

No evidence whatever suggests it's fueling conflict. Plenty proves it wants peace and stability, not war.

Southeastern Ukrainian freedom fighters aren't separatists. They're not insurgents.

They reject Kiev's coup d'etat authority. They reject fascist rule. They want real democracy.

They want local autonomy. They want the right to elect regional governors and other officials. Kiev appointed ones have no legitimacy.

No evidence suggests Russia supplies Southeastern Ukrainian freedom fighters with weapons.

They've gotten tanks, artillery and other heavy ones abandoned by Kiev military forces.

They've used them effectively. Doing so doesn't constitute human rights abuses. AI's accusations are spurious.

They include reports of captured Russian troops inside Ukraine. Previous articles discussed what happens.

Parts of Ukraine's border with Russia aren't demarcated. Military forces and other nationals on both sides unwittingly cross over.

Russia returns Ukrainians without incident. Kiev wrongfully claims evidence of Russian involvement.

So does AI. It lied claiming "separatist fighters abducted, tortured, and killed their neighbors."

No evidence proves it. Plenty shows Ukraine's neo-Nazi-infested National Guard and so-called volunteer brigades committed horrendous atrocities.

AI reported on ones committed by the pro-Kiev Aidar Volunteer Battalion in Lugansk. It's one of dozens of similar "Anti-Terrorist Operation" units in Southeastern Ukraine.

It's neo-Nazi infested. It actively supported ousting Yanukovych. According to AI:

"While hailed by many nationally as a committed fighting force, the Aidar battalion has acquired locally a reputation for brutal reprisals, robbery, beatings and extortion."



Its abuses "amount to war crimes, for which both the perpetrators and, possibly, the commanders would bear responsibility under national and international law."

Abducted victims were accused of being Russian collaborators. They were tortured and robbed.

One victim described his treatment. He was forced to the floor at gunpoint.

He was kicked and beaten. His jaw was broken. He was held at a makeshift detention center.

He was there with about 15 others. They were terrorized. They were blindfolded and bound with tape. They were released after their valuables were stolen.

Ukrainian police and military authorities in Severodonetsk said 38 cases were pending against Aidar members.

Ukraine's defense and interior ministries are handling them. It doesn't matter. According to AI, they are "without tangible result(s) thus far."

Aidar and similar units "significantly (risk) aggravating tensions in the east of the country and undermin(e) the proclaimed intentions of the new Ukrainian authorities to strengthen and uphold the rule of law more broadly."

Fascist regimes operate this way. Ukraine is Europe's worst. Petro Poroshenko heads its putschist government.

Washington supports and encourages his high crimes. He relies on neo-Nazi fighters.

They're part of his strategy to institutionalize hardline rule nationwide.

Aidar and similar groups operate free from oversight and control. Ukrainian authorities do nothing to curb their worst abuses.

Some groups openly display Nazi insignia. According to German TV station ZDF, Ukrainian soldiers were shown wearing swastikas.

Extremist paramilitary groups are part of Kiev's strategy for unchallenged control. Andriy Biletsky founded Azov.

He heads the fascist Social National Assembly and Patriots of Ukraine. Ukrainian oligarch Igor Kolomoysky sponsors various paramilitary units.

They influence government policy. They're largely likeminded. They enjoy Western support. They're anti-Russian.

They oppose peace. They make continued conflict more likely.

Expect it once Ukraine's military regroups. Expect greater US-led NATO support.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

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