Washington - The United States denounced the "brutality" of Islamic militants Thursday and highlighted a litany of abuses in Iran and Cuba as it unveiled an annual assessment of human rights around the world.
"No development has been more disturbing than the rise of groups such as Daesh," Secretary of State John Kerry said, referring to the self-proclaimed Islamic State group, as he launched the 2014 report at the State Department.
Even though the report focuses "on the behavior of governments -- which bear responsibility for the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in their territories -- the year 2014 will be remembered as much for atrocities committed by non-state actors," the report says.
In a written preface, Kerry said violent jihadist groups had "made it clear that not only do they have zero regard for human rights, they have zero regard for human life, period."
He noted that "every week brings new examples of just how far the evil of these groups reaches," cataloging beheadings, people being burned alive, girls being sold into slavery and civilians being "widely and indiscriminately" executed.
The annual country-by-country index, which was delayed by several months this year, gives a stark assessment of the state of human rights in every country around the world -- except back home in the United States.
But Kerry said there was nothing "sanctimonious" and "zero arrogance" in the report, adding "we couldn't help but have humility when we have seen what we have seen in the last year in terms of racial discord and unrest."
"Every country, including the United States has room to improve," he said, "and the path to global respect always begins at home."
AFP
