Shining a Spotlight
on Misdeeds of Governments
Alan Alexander reflects on 60th Anniversary of UNDHR
Sometimes it's worth revisiting words that we know well
because familiarity can lead us to forgetting their true meaning. And so it
is with this year’s 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights (UNDHR) reminding us of the absolute horror
and disgust that the
world felt on seeing what had taken place in German and Japanese
extermination camps. I'm sure many people thought at the time that this
would never happen again and that genocide and cruel and inhuman treatment
would be dead and buried for ever when the nations of the world signed up to
the Universal Declaration. But in spite of the nearly 200 conflicts that
have taken place since 1948 the UNDHR has set the bar for our rights much
higher than ever before and dictators and despots know full well when they
are committing crimes against humanity and slowly but surely are being
brought to book.
Nearly 20 years later Amnesty International burst onto the scene in a world divided clearly between communist, non-communist and non-aligned. This was a time when even in Western Europe three dictators running Portugal, Greece and Spain were happy to use torture to control their populations and where publicly raising a glass to freedom would guarantee you a spell in prison.
Fast forward to today and Amnesty West Cumbria is part of
a worldwide network where with the aid of modern communication we can shine
a spotlight on the misdeeds of governments and freelance killers where in
the past a blind eye would ensure that their activities would be hidden from
the world. As always with human affairs there is good news and bad news. At
the 2008 AGM of the West Cumbria group the good news was the continued work
by members and supporters for Amnesty International. The help with raising
£1200 to keep that spotlight on, sending of 300 letters to governments as
well as to prisoners of conscience imprisoned by repressive regimes all
showed that our community cares about what is right. Cynicism is a
self-indulgent but destructive emotion and you might say that after all this
time the world should have been a much better place. But the efforts of
everyone 
who cares about these issues have been rewarded.
·
The UK government signed up to the Convention Against Trafficking in January this year to help bring an end to this modern slave trade·
In February the government joined 46 other countries to work on the banning of cluster bombs that usually injure and maim women and children after military action has finished.·
Helen Berhane an Amnesty Prisoner of Conscience after her release from an Eritrean prison (in fact a shipping container) has been granted asylum in Denmark: her crime, for which she was tortured as well, was to continue gospel singing in her church.·
In Brazil after the intervention of Amnesty International amongst others 460 homeless families were given accommodation by the local council in accordance with International Law that entitles us all to a roof over heads, food and water.Amnesty International is also highlighting the reforms that China committed to in order to host the Olympic Games. This is a great opportunity to use the "glare of publicity" on a country which still controls the day to day activities of its people, uses the death penalty, detention without trial, torture, forbids trade unions and censors the use of the internet.
. Amnesty’s most successful and enjoyable event the Walk for Life was joined this year by MP Jamie Reed, who gave up the offer of a Cup Final ticket in order to be there. Our picture shows Jamie with David Southward on the course of the walk.
If you would like to know more about Amnesty’s work or the Walk for Life contact:
Alan Alexander 01946 810444 or sandoak@aol.com.