Amnesty International believes that this can and must finally change. International humanitarian law - the law that governs the conduct of armed conflict - could not be clearer. Attacks must never be directed against civilians. The principle of distinguishing between civilians and combatants is a fundamental safeguard for people caught up in the horrors of war. And yet, time and again, civilians bore the brunt in conflict. In the year marking the 20th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, politicians repeatedly trampled on the rules protecting civilians - or looked away from the deadly violations of these rules committed by others.

Amnesty Internationals latest report documents the state of human rights in 160 countries and territories during 2014. While progress is being made in some areas, for many people the human rights situation is getting worse. It also celebrates those who stand up for human rights across the world, often in difficult and dangerous circumstances. It represents Amnesty International's key concerns throughout the world, and is essential reading for policymakers, activists and campaigners for human rights.

War crimes or other violations of the "laws of war" were carried out in at least 18 countries. Armed groups committed abuses in at least 35 countries, more than 20% of the countries Amnesty International investigated. Refugees and migrants were at particular risk during 2014. More than 3,400 people are believed to have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea trying to reach Europe. Of the 4 million refugees who have fled the conflict in Syria, 95% were being hosted in neighbouring countries.

Almost three-quarters of governments (119 out of 160) arbitrarily restricted freedom of expression. There were crackdowns on press freedom in many countries, with newspapers being forcibly closed and journalists threatened. More than a third of governments (62 out of 160) locked up prisoners of conscience - people who were simply exercising their rights and freedoms. Gruesome evidence of ethnic cleansing in northern Iraq as Islamic State moves to wipe out minorities.

58% of countries (93 out of 160) conducted unfair trials. In unfair trials, justice is not served for the accused, the victim of the crime or the public. According to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, 78 countries have laws in effect that are used to criminalize consensual sexual relationships between adults of the same sex.    Read the full report here