Comments on: requiescat in pace

requiescat in pace

Kattullus — Sat, 26 Feb 2005 20:55:23 -0800

Peter Benenson founder of Amnesty International has passed away. It all started with a letter and grew into one of the most influential human rights organization in the world. Here is a video tribute from Amnesty International (real player only, I'm afraid, though there is a transcript)

By: Kattullus

Kattullus — Sat, 26 Feb 2005 21:03:02 -0800

Guardian article & Washington Post article

By: dhartung

dhartung — Sat, 26 Feb 2005 21:48:54 -0800

By: melissa may

melissa may — Sat, 26 Feb 2005 22:07:46 -0800

By: IshmaelGraves

IshmaelGraves — Sat, 26 Feb 2005 23:26:26 -0800

In the mid-1960s, Benenson stepped down as Amnesty's leader after an independent investigation did not support his claim that British spies had infiltrated the organization. Does anyone have any further information on this?

By: fold_and_mutilate

fold_and_mutilate — Sat, 26 Feb 2005 23:52:54 -0800

Thank you for your majestic effort.

By: jonmc

jonmc — Sun, 27 Feb 2005 08:54:16 -0800

AI represents the democratic activist impulse at it's best. Godspeed.

By: Calvin

Calvin — Sun, 27 Feb 2005 09:00:37 -0800

Wow. What a wonderful organization and brilliant idea.

By: billsaysthis

billsaysthis — Sun, 27 Feb 2005 09:54:00 -0800

Interesting how large organizations start out from such small beginnings. As in this instance, where Benenson began it all by writing a letter about two Portugese students arrested for a restaurant toast.

By: asok

asok — Sun, 27 Feb 2005 11:19:42 -0800

By: amberglow

amberglow — Sun, 27 Feb 2005 11:21:04 -0800

By: Calvin

Calvin — Sun, 27 Feb 2005 11:33:42 -0800

That's how it started? Really?

By: roboto

roboto — Sun, 27 Feb 2005 16:14:27 -0800

"Forty years on, Amnesty International has secured many victories. Its files are full of letters from former prisoners of conscience or torture victims thanking the organisation for making a difference. Torture is now banned by international agreement. Every year more countries reject the death penalty. The world will soon have an International Criminal Court that will be able to ensure that those accused of the worst crimes in the world will face justice. The Court's very existence will deter some crimes. "But the challenges are still great. Torture is banned but in two-thirds of the world's countries it is still being committed in secret. Too many governments still allow wrongful imprisonment, murder or "disappearance" to be carried out by their officials with impunity. "Those who today still feel a sense of impotence can do something: they can support Amnesty International. They can help it to stand up for freedom and justice. "In 1961 I wrote 'Pressure of opinion a hundred years ago brought about the emancipation of the slaves'. Pressure of opinion is now needed to help Amnesty International achieve its ultimate objective: to close for business. Only then, when the last prisoner of conscience has been freed, when the last torture chamber has been closed, when the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a reality for the world's people, will our work be done." - Peter Benenson

By: billsaysthis

billsaysthis — Sun, 27 Feb 2005 20:45:35 -0800

Calvin: Really.