Amnesty International Targets Human Rights Abuses in U.S.

Each year, Amnesty International publishes a report documenting human rights violations in nations around the globe. The world's largest human rights group is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year with the warning that economic globalization must be balanced by a globalization of human rights.

Among the 149 nations profiled this year is the United States, whose human rights record Amnesty says, "continues to fall short of international standards." Criticisms raised against the U.S. include increased use of the death penalty, especially against individuals who are mentally impaired or who committed crimes as minors. Amnesty cites a long list of cases documenting police brutality linked to racial discrimination, torture against prisoners and the prosecution of children as adults, many serving time in adult prisons under inhumane conditions. Amnesty further criticized the U.S. for its failure to ratify the accord establishing an International Criminal Court, the treaty banning land mines and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

While the U.S. press often highlights Amnesty International's reports criticizing other nations, seldom does the corporate print or electronic media provide in depth coverage of the group's human rights concerns focused on America itself.

Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Josh Rubenstein, northeast regional director with Amnesty International USA, who summarizes his group's annual report on human rights violations in the United States.

This interview segment is available in downloadable MP3 and RealAudio on radio newsmagazine Between The Lines' website http://www.btlonline.org for week ending 6/15/01.

Contact Amnesty International by calling (617) 623-0202 or visit their Web site at http://www.amnestyusa.org