Global human rights watch, Amnesty International has decried the response to horrific violence by states and armed groups, insisting governments must “stop pretending the protection of civilians is beyond their power.”

In its annual assessment of human rights around the world, released yesterday in Abuja, Amnesty International equally raised concern over “deteriorating security situation; continuing attacks on freedom of expression and ongoing backlash against the International Criminal Court.”

While calling for renouncement of veto rights by five permanent members of UN Security Council in situations of mass atrocities, Amnesty said, “World leaders must act urgently to confront the changing nature of conflict and protect civilians from horrific violence by states and armed groups.”

Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International, who signed the statement, said, “2014 was a catastrophic year for millions caught up in violence. The global response to conflict and abuses by states and armed groups has been shameful and ineffective.

“As people suffered an escalation in barbarous attacks and repression, the international community has been found wanting.

“The United Nations was established 70 years ago to ensure that we would never again see the horrors witnessed in the Second World War. We are now seeing violence on a mass scale and an enormous refugee crisis caused by that violence. There has been a singular failure to find workable solutions to the most pressing needs of our time,” Shetty said.

Senior Director for Research at Amnesty International, Anna Neistat, noted that “Of particular concern is the rising power of non-state armed groups, including the group which calls itself Islamic State (IS), Boko Haram and AQIM.

The group alleged that communities terrorized for years by Boko Haram have become increasingly vulnerable to violations by the state security forces, which regularly responded with extra judicial killings, mass arbitrary arrests and torture.

“Armed groups committed abuses in at least 35 countries in 2014, more than one in five of the countries that Amnesty International investigated.

“As the influence of groups such as Boko Haram, IS and Al Shabaab spills over national borders, more civilians will be forced to live under their quasi-state control, subject to abuse, persecution and discrimination.

“Governments must stop pretending the protection of civilians is beyond their power and help roll back the tide of suffering of millions. Leaders must embrace a fundamental change in the way they respond to crises around the world,” Neistat posited.

Commenting on the raging conflict across Africa, Amnesty International regional Director for West and Central Africa, Alioune Tine, added that “A lethal cocktail of conflict, repression and impunity is pushing large parts of West and Central Africa towards greater instability.