Amnesty

Press, 26 January 1988, Page 12

Amnesty

Sir,—Amnesty International confines its mandate to three basic concerns: the release of prisoners of conscience; the abolition of torture and the death penalty; and due process in law for all political prisoners. We do

not pretend to defend all human rights. Nor do we make comparisons between countries on their records, even on those matters which* fall within our mandate. lan Dimbleby (January 20) is manufacturing his evidence and trying to bolster his position by associating Amnesty with a case that we would never argue. In fact, South Africa is guilty of frequent abuses in those matters that Amnesty takes as its concern. For these abuses alone, South Africa must continue to be condemned. There is little profit for the victim of abuses to hear that there are even more people in other places similarly denied their basic right. It is important that we recognise that there are never any circumstances anywhere which can justify any abuses of those matters that fall within Amnesty’s mandate. If people everywhere were persistent in condemning the abuses, rather than supporting the cause which produces the evil, we would be a short step towards improving the human condition. — Yours, etc., NICK PARK, Deputy chairperson,

Amnesty International, New Zealand. January 20, 1988.