A testing decade for human rights

Press, 27 May 1981, Page 22

A testing decade for human rights

From

Amnesty International

Human rights face a crucial test in the 1980 s, with the right to dissent under attack in country after country. Torture and murder, abduction and imprisonment — often sanctioned at the highest levels of government — are systematic practices in nations of widely differing ideologies. Today! in many areas of the world, it is not only freedom of conscience that is under attack: the lives of prisoners are at stake.

Faced with the extent of the attack upon human rights, many ask if the battle for those rights can be won. Around the

world, people are undoubtedly more aware of their rights than ever; but the violations that are perpetrated every day show that the need for action is no less than it was, and may be greater. The strategy must be twofold. It must tackle abuses both at th" level of international law and at the level of human solidarity with the victims. The process of securing commitments to international human rights standards must be accelerated. Universal ratification of international human rights covenants is essential. At present fewer than half the Governments in the world have

ratified these agreements. An international convention against torture, now being drafted, must be adopted by the United Nations as a matter of priority. The convention must include provision for international on-site ’ inspection of detention centres.

Agreements alone, however, cannot guarantee the protection of human rights. Public opinion must provide the mmomentum that is needed to ensure that such standards are respected. An effective, independent force for human rights is imperative — a force that is able to transcend the tangle of power politics and ready to

intervene whereever and whenever fundamental human rights are violated. The means can include anything from widespread publicity in the news media to the efforts of volunteers ready to send letters and telegrams on behalf of threatened prisoners. The experience of Amnesty International has shown that the lives of people facing torture and death can be saved by’ prompt international action. Detainees have been released following concerted appeals from citizens and organisations in other countries. In other cases victims who had “disappeared" in the custody of security forces have

reappeared. Torture has been stopped and death sentences have been commuted. Enormous difficulties stand in the way. Secrecy and censorship obstruct the flow of information about prisons and prisoners. Relatives, lawyers and human rights activists can be intimidated by fear of reprisals. Even when information becomes available. Governments may turn a deaf ear to appeals on behalf of the victims. Diplomatic pressure may be brought to bear to soften protests or prevent disclosures.

Time and again; these difficulties have been overcome by impartial, factually accurate

human rights campaigning. Such efforts have depended ultimately on the energy, perseverance and fund-raising of individual citizens in many countries.

Despite the increasing effort that must go into exposing and campaigning against these specific human rights abuses, Amnesty International has reaffirmed its original belief that it must continue to rely on the contributions of its members and donations from the public, this reliance on public support is essential to keep the movement free from interference by Governments, funding agencies or pressure groups.