Anti American Bias?

Question

Why is it that groups like Human Rights watch and Amnesty get all mad about the United States supposedly torturing a handful of terrorists, but to my knowledge ignored real (much worse) human rights violations in places like China, North Korea, Iraq (Pre-War)?

Answer 1

Very simple answer. When the lawyers of these organizations file law suits they don't get very far in the Chinese or North Korean "courts." The media of these nations ignore them; and so they pick on the US because our Media loves it and our courts are more then willing to reward them in big dollars. Its sad....I would think being leaned over a table and having your head cut off by the people of radical Islam would out do having loud music played at your 24x7

Answer 2

I question that they ignore human right violations, anywhere. If you look at their websites, there are many links to in-depth material and research into human rights issues all over the world. These are not organizations whose politics prevent them from exposing wrong where they find it.

The US has historically spearheaded the human rights movement in the world, and is extremely vocal in criticizing other countries for their transgressions, particularly Iraq, North Korea, and China. So, when we start indulging in the same kind of behavior we've been censuring others for, it tends to make watchdog groups 'all mad.' As well, it tends to make us look like hypocrites...there are plenty of people insist that we should use torture as a 'tool against terrorism' with impunity, and consider it justifiable as such. I believe we must hold ourselves (and our government) to a higher standard, and once again lead by example. Our credibility is damaged enough; rather than applauding and excusing such acts, we need to show the world that we still have it in us to embody the 'self-evident truths' our country was founded upon.

Answer 3

Amnesty International has for decades being fighting the human rights violations in China, North Korea, Iraq, Iran, etc.

These are reported on only occasionally (its not news, apparently), and then usually when there is a vote on whether to continue "most favored nation" status on the countries for trade purposes.

In America, where we view ourselves as being the model of fairness, however, it IS news when we get accused of human rights abuses.

In addition, the reports (which now include USA), provide amunition to the systemic violators of human rights to claim (in rightious indignation) that the USA has no authority to complain and point fingers, when they violate human rights too!!!

By engaging in this conduct, the US has "lost" the moral high ground. And that, too, is news.

Answer 4

Actually they don't. We hear a lot more because we're American, but Amnesty International has a lot of ongoing programs with people that are jailed unjustly in other countries, especially in those that you've mentioned. (not sure about Human rights watch)

Although we DO hear a lot of Anti-American bias from Europeans on the web, I've noticed. I think this is because the USA is at many times the center of news attention so they continually comment on us due to the reaction of the news stories they just saw. Other than that my only guess is that they are just a bunch of whiney jealous little bitches. Take your pick.

Answer 5

This is idiotic; Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have fought for torture victims overseas for years -- decades in AI's case. They issue reports on rights violations in all of the countries you listed every single year. Check Google. Dumb@$$.

Answer 6

I think they act on the reports they get. since there was censorship to a huge extent in the countries you spoke of, there was every Little they could do, but to my knowledge they have raised considerable a stink over human rights violations in these countries.
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Answer 7

They don't ignore the others they just hold America to a higher standard.

Answer 8

Because torture is illegal and evil?