World leaders' responses to conflict imperil the rules-based world order

The world is heading towards a dangerous place where selective government outrage and "a la carte" application of international law are becoming the norm. The result is already damning: a crisis of credibility and the erosion of trust in international institutions and governments, putting in peril the rules-based world order. As the heads of Amnesty International and Center for Civilians in Conflict, two of the world's most prominent organisations for human rights and protection of civilians, we have a simple demand for the world leaders who will be coming together on Friday for the 2024 Munich Security Conference: Protect international humanitarian and international human rights laws which are the best tools we have for protecting civilians in times of conflict, and stop creating exceptions that weaken rights protection and endanger global security and stability. Unfortunately, in 2023, world leaders responded unevenly to the countless violations of international humanitarian and human rights law we witnessed in various conflicts across the world. They expressed outrage at the crimes committed by some warring parties while offering diplomatic cover for others.