Western hypocrisy in Ukraine

The US has come under attack also from human rights groups for its use of drones against suspected terrorists which has also killed many civilians in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen. Just days ago the UN Human Rights Council published a Special Rapporteur's report detailing the deaths of civilians caused by US drone attacks, and raised many questions of possible violations of international human rights law.

All these actions were carried out in the 21st century, in addition to many other actions in the 20th century. It's thus remarkable that Obama and Kerry could, with a straight face, accuse Russia of not acting in a manner befitting the 21st century and being on the wrong side of history.

There appears to be one law for still the most powerful country, and another for others. The former can invade and kill, while lecturing self-righteously to others.

Whatever one thinks of Russia's action in Crimea, it has not resulted in any death, at least not yet. Compare it with the hundreds of thousands or millions, who have died and suffered from past and present wars of the US and other Western countries.

Though much of the mainstream media also takes the establishment view, some Western journalists have pointed out their leaders' hypocrisy.

In an article, "America's staggering hypocrisy in Ukraine," well-known American journalist Robert Parry remarked: "Since World War II, the United States has invaded or otherwise intervened in so many countries that it would be challenging to compile a complete list ... So, what is one to make of Secretary of State John Kerry's pronouncement that Russia's military intervention in the Crimea section of Ukraine-at the behest of the country's deposed president-is a violation of international law that the United States would never countenance?

"Are Kerry and pretty much everyone else in Official Washington so lacking in self-awareness that they don't realize that they are condemning actions by Russian President Vladimir Putin that are far less egregious than what they themselves have done?"

The answer to Parry's question is clear. The Western powers really need to behave themselves before slashing Putin.

The author is executive director of South Centre, a think tank of developing countries, based in Geneva.