UN chief decries global rise of 'rule of force'

Human rights are under “full-scale attack around the world”, United Nations chief Antonio Guterres warned Monday, with the most powerful often leading the charge.

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“The rule of law is being outmuscled by the rule of force,” he told the opening of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

“This assault is not coming from the shadows, or by surprise. It is happening in plain sight -- and often led by those who hold the greatest power.”

The UN secretary-general did not delve into specific situations, although he did voice outrage at Russia’s continuing war in Ukraine, where he said more than 15,000 civilians had been killed in four years of violence.

“It is more than past time to end the bloodshed,” he said.