By Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International
As NATO states meet in the Hague this week, they face tough decisions that will impact the lives of millions, or even billions, around the world. If, as widely expected, they commit to increased defence spending in response to Russia’s ongoing war of aggression in Ukraine, they must ensure this is allied with strong commitments and actual measures to enhance protection of human rights and international humanitarian law.
Given the gravity of the crises engulfing the world and the need to seize every opportunity to demand that human rights protection be central to all responses, I will be representing Amnesty International at the NATO Public Forum that runs parallel to the summit, in which leaders and officials will engage with security experts, academics, journalists and NGOs.
Upon launching Amnesty’s annual report a few weeks ago, I declared it the strongest warning the organization has ever issued. There are more conflicts raging today than at any time since World War Two, inequality is rampant – both within and between states – and states are hurtling into an unchecked arms race, in the first place artificial intelligence-powered. Without concerted and comprehensive action from governments, this historic juncture will mutate into historic devastation.
When NATO leaders sit down to discuss such challenges, they must carefully consider their responsibility to humanity.
Progressive taxation, no austerity measures, to fund increased defence budget
The Trump administration is pressuring its NATO allies to increase their defence spending to 5% of GDP – more than double the existing target of 2%. This would likely consist of 3.5% directly on military expenditure and another 1.5% on civil defence, cyber, intelligence and military-related infrastructure. Any such increases must not be paid for by cutting vital funds needed to guarantee and protect essential public services or humanitarian aid and development assistance.
Instead of pulling the rug from under the feet of those most in need of support, states should raise the requisite funds by introducing more progressive domestic taxation measures for the wealthiest and supporting global tax reform to ensure those with the broadest shoulders pay their fair share.
NATO leaders should also state loudly and powerfully that people do not have to choose between security and the protection of social, economic and political rights. This is a false dichotomy. Security and rights go hand in hand.
Galvanise commitment to international law
Respect for international humanitarian law is in deep crisis with many governments either claiming that the principles and rules of international humanitarian law do not apply to them or rewriting the rules to allow conducts that should not be permissible. Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza is compounded by the failures of its main allies to stop transferring weapons or condemn war crimes and the indescribable civilian bloodshed. Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine resulted in more Ukrainian civilians killed in 2024 than it did the previous year.
NATO leaders must not only reiterate their commitment to uphold international law and demand that their allies respect the laws of war. The summit should result in a set of concrete measures to ensure that international humanitarian law is respected.
NATO leaders should halt weapons transfers where they are likely to result in violations of international law, such as Israel and Sudan, for example. Increased military production is no excuse for states to transfer arms to countries where they pose a substantial risk of being used to commit or facilitate war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide.
NATO leaders must protect international treaties
The trend towards remilitarization has seen states withdraw from vital treaties protecting civilians.
Lithuania’s unprecedented withdrawal from the Convention on Cluster Munitions took effect in March 2025 and its parliament voted in May to also withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, a landmark treaty prohibiting the use of anti-personnel mines. Finland announced its withdrawal from the latter treaty in April, while Estonia and Latvia’s parliaments also voted to pull out in recent weeks. Poland’s Minister of Defence has recommended doing the same. The USA, which is not a signatory to either convention, has further undermined prohibition efforts, with the Biden administration transferring cluster munitions and anti-personnel mines to Ukraine last year.
NATO leaders must reiterate their commitment to these treaties, which are vital to protecting civilians in armed conflicts, and call on their allies to reconsider their withdrawals.
Regulate development of autonomous weapon systems
Remilitarization is also driving ever-greater use of artificial intelligence in the military domain and will likely accelerate the development of autonomous weapons systems, potentially nullifying years of efforts towards their regulation.
This arms race highlights the imperative to move on from endless debates around autonomous weapons systems and take immediate action to actually prevent us from sleepwalking into oblivion. NATO governments must adopt a clear collective position in favour of a global, legally binding treaty to regulate the development and deployment of autonomous weapons systems, including banning those that directly target and attack humans – a line we cannot cross, for myriad legal and ethical reasons.
Reaffirm respect for rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly
Over the last year, Amnesty has documented a globalized intensification of authoritarian practices and a vicious clampdown on dissent, particularly in relation to conflicts and violations of international law. Governments across the world banned media outlets, disbanded or suspended NGOs and political parties, and imprisoned critics. The world over, Amnesty has documented the criminalization and punishment of freedom of expression and peaceful protests, including through use of “terrorism” or “extremism” legislation.
The protection of universal values and human rights must be at the heart of the NATO vision and actions. This is how its founders envisioned the alliance when they reaffirmed in its treaty “their faith in the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations”. This protection is what all citizens may expect it to deliver.
NATO leaders must recognize the critical role played by civil society, human rights defenders and independent media in protecting human rights and ensuring accountability and respect for rule of law – all necessary elements for preserving peace and security. They must commit to allowing peaceful protests and guaranteeing the rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, as well as stopping the oppression of NGOs and recognizing their essential role in society. Governments must also protect human rights defenders and journalists from attacks, end any state-sponsored violence against them, and refrain from harassing or censoring independent media.
These are the basic steps states must take to ensure the preservation of peace and security at home and globally.
Anything less and NATO leaders will be paving the way for future crises. They cannot achieve genuine and lasting security without robust human rights guarantees.
Originally published in Le Monde Diplomatique.
Header image: part of a US-made CBU-58A/B cluster bomb © Amnesty International
