Amnesty International’s leader calls on Europe to stop appeasing US President Trump over Greenland and defend the rules-based global order.
DAVOS: The head of Amnesty International has called on European nations to cease “appeasing” US President Donald Trump and to resist him and other global “bullies”.
Amnesty secretary general Agnes Callamard said these actors are intent on destroying the international rules-based order established after World War II.
“We need much more resistance,” Callamard told AFP in an interview at the World Economic Forum.
“Europe’s credibility is at stake.”
Her comments follow Trump’s reinforced threats to acquire Greenland “one way or the other”, which he claims is necessary for world security.
European leaders have united against his designs on the Danish territory, with German and French officials denouncing his tariff threats as “blackmail”.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, set to meet Trump in Davos, also stated Europe’s desire to “avoid any escalation”.
Callamard urged governments to demonstrate more courage and to “say no”.
“Stop thinking you can make deals with bullies, stop thinking you can agree to the rules of the predators and not become yourself a victim of them.”
She stated the US push for Greenland is the latest sign of the “destruction of the rules-based order”.
Callamard lamented that global superpowers seem “intent on destroying what has been established after World War II”.
She cited Trump’s decisions since returning to office and Russia’s aggression in Ukraine as factors in the system’s demise.
“The post-WWII order is also being destroyed by Israel that has completely ignored international law in its genocide of Palestinians in Gaza,” she added.
Amnesty has repeatedly accused Israel of genocide, a charge Israel vehemently rejects.
Callamard warned the destruction of this order without a replacement risks “falling down into an abyss”.
She criticised the current Davos theme of dialogue, stating there is only evidence of “bullying” and “destruction”.
Callamard said European “appeasement” over the past year has only led to more threats and attacks.
“We have sought to appease the bully, the predator living in Washington.”
She recalled that the European project is founded on values, humanity, and the rule of law, not just economics.
Callamard urged leaders to reaffirm these principles and demand human rights protection.
“That demands stopping the appeasement politics, (which) simply is not working.”
“Please stop it. Resist. Resist.”
