Amnesty International assesses that the global response to conflicts and crimes committed by individual states and armed groups last year was "shameful and ineffective".
In a new report, AI called for global action, which includes a proposal that the five permanent member states of the UN Security Council give up their right to veto in cases when it comes to responding to mass crimes.
"Governments must stop pretending that protecting civilians is beyond their power and help stop the suffering of millions of people. "Leaders must accept a fundamental change in the way they respond to crises," said the announcement of the organization that fights for respect for human rights.
Amnesty expresses particular concern regarding the activities of armed groups, including Boko Haram, the Islamic State and Al-Shabaab, stating that civilians living under their rule are exposed to abuse, persecution and discrimination.
AI calls on countries, including the US, Canada, China, India, Israel and Russia, to ratify, accept and implement the International Arms Trade Treaty, because, as they stated, the irresponsible flow of arms must be stopped.
The organization called on world leaders to limit the use of explosive weapons, such as aerial bombs, mortar shells, artillery shells and ballistic missiles in populated areas, as their use has killed many civilians over the past year.
As a tragic consequence of the incompetence of the international community last year, AI pointed out one of the biggest refugee crises in history, when millions of people were forced to leave their homes, of which about four million are from Syria.
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