Tributes paid to Peter Benenson

Tributes paid to Peter Benenson

"Today, we pause to honour the contribution of a human rights lawyer and activist whose life and vision is worthy not only of remembrance, but also of study and emulation by all who seek to advance the cause of human dignity. Touched by the persecution of two students who dared to raise a toast to freedom, Peter Benenson did not merely lament the injustice that offended him. He chose to act. He created a new calculus of human rights activism, combining the power of knowledge, the fuel of empathy, the vigilance of civil society and the moral authority of human rights to produce a force that would give pause to the dictator and hope to the prisoner."As we seek to confront today’s myriad assaults on human rights, we must recognize the lesson of Peter Benenson as one of both responsibility and hope. The responsibility to defend those who are abused or threatened, and the hope that, when we do, abuse and threat cannot long prevail. The best tribute we can pay to Peter Benenson is to work every day to follow his example."
Kofi A. Annan -- Secretary General, United Nations"The world owes a very great debt of thanks to Peter Benenson. He has been proof that one person can truly make a difference. In establishing Amnesty International, he harnessed the power of individuals to bring justice and freedom to millions of people. "He did so, not by making speeches in lofty halls or parliaments, but by listening. Listening to the cries of those who have been forgotten, the prisoner, the abused, the victim and the survivor; and then acting. Shouting from the rooftops that the abuse of the rights of one individual is the concern and responsibility of all. His vision launched a revolution in human rights activism."Tragically, the work he began is not over. In a world in which governments are betraying the promise of human rights and armed groups are committing horrendous abuses, Peter's call for solidarity with those who are suffering is more important than ever. He was undaunted by opposition and attempts by the powerful to undermine his work. He faced enormous challenges and refused to be overcome by them. As we honour him and his legacy, let us continue what he began with the same selfless courage and tenacity. "We are our brother's and sister's keeper and history will judge us if we fail that charge."
Desmond M Tutu -- Archbishop Emeritus of Capetown, South Africa"Peter Benenson was a great champion of human rights and freedom. As someone who has suffered human rights abuses, I cannot find sufficient words to convey the immense contribution by Peter and Amnesty International."
Anwar Ibrahim -- Former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia and former prisoner of conscience"I don’t recall precisely when I first heard the name of Peter Benenson or the name of Amnesty International and I don’t even recall when I first heard about its activity. All I know is that we, on the other side of the Iron Curtain, had countless reasons to take an interest in its work, and so I imagine it must have been right at the beginning of the nineteen-sixties. However, I vividly remember what it meant for those of us who were persecuted for our stand on civil rights when someone abroad showed an interest in our fate, when open-minded people expressed solidarity and when our situation was taken up with the Communist regime. "Such expressions of interest, particularly when they coincided with international talks or meetings that were important to the Communist regime, were a great source of annoyance, discomfort and inconvenience for it. I remember that the concentrated attention and constant publicity given to the violation of human rights and the concern expressed about the fate of others frequently prevented prosecution or the imposition of severe penalties. Subsequently, when I held high public office, I also tried all the time to emphasise and assert my personal experience."And I continue to do so. A whole number of organisations were created in the second half of the twentieth century to assist victims of persecution or imprisonment, and of all of them, Amnesty International in particular enjoys enormous trust. From my own experience, I can say that its voice is listened to almost everywhere, even where it is not acknowledged. That prestige is due to its thousands of selfless assistants and above all to its founder."I think the best tribute to Peter Benenson is to carry his work forward, and continue to show concern for the fate of other people throughout the globe. Dear Peter, we have a sense of shared responsibility for this world in the same way that you had a sense of shared responsibility for us."
Václav Havel -- Playwright, former prisoner of conscience and former President of Czechoslovakia"All prisoners of conscience in Seoul Dentention House share our sense of bereavement and pay homage to Peter Benenson’s devotion to human rights. He will be in our hearts forever as a never failing candle. "
Letter from group of prisoners of conscience and other prisoners in Seoul Detention Centre, South KoreaFurther information :Peter Benenson Memorial