One standard, every actor
International law means nothing if it binds only the weak. Our first rule is that the same act receives the same words, the same law and the same scrutiny, whoever commits it.
The three tests
Reverse the perpetrator. Would we use exactly this language if the actor's nationality, alliances or power were reversed? If not, we rewrite it.
Reverse the victims. Would we use exactly this language if the victims belonged to a group whose suffering receives more coverage, or less?
The same evidence standard. The same proof is required for every actor. A court finding is accepted as a finding whoever it names. A government statement is treated as a claim whoever makes it.
In practice
An occupation is described as an occupation, with the body that determined it, whether the occupier is Russia in Crimea, Ukraine, Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory or Türkiye in northern Cyprus.
An attack on civilians is described under the same rule whether the force is a state's air force, an allied military or an armed group.
"Terrorism" is never our own word. We name the act and the rule it breaks, for every party.
Where a comparable case exists, the story sets out how comparable acts by other actors were described and treated.
If you see us fail this standard, tell us: contact@humanrightsnews.org. We will correct it publicly.