As we pulled together press packs in English and Russian for today’s simultaneous launch of the AIR in Moscow, we wondered nervously how many people would come. Not only was it a wilting 32 degrees C, but the evening before we had heard from a group of journalists and civil society activists how difficult it presently was for independent voices to speak out and be heard in the Russian Federation.
Listening to their stories, we were very moved by the courage it took to help families look for their “disappeared” relatives in Chechnya, in spite of death threats, and by other stories of a long history of bearing witness to upholding human rights in what was often a very hostile climate.
As it turned out, we needn’t have worried. Some 40 journalists came, from agencies, newspapers, radio and TV. They were from the Russian and international media, their questions ranged from the local to the regional to the global, and they interviewed our Moscow based staff as well as those visiting from the London office - headed by Kate Gilmore, the Deputy Secretary General. As she headed off later in the day for yet another interview, we collated what was already coming in from the wires. It was great to feel that the international messages of the AIR had found such a resonance in Russia.
Nicola Duckworth is a senior member of the Amnesty International department responsible for carrying out research and organising campaigns about Europe and Central Asia.
Dear Amnesty International;
I watched the brief video with Irene Khan and it was moving.
I, and probably millions everywhere, are feeling overwhelmed and discouraged by global activities.
For whatever reasons, maybe too many to count, the fear that seems to grip us from terrorism or by the threat of it, is frightening. However, like you bravely stated, only by becoming aware of our differences and respecting all cultures globally will those manipulating our responses to a constant perceived threat of existence come to an end.
Thank you for your humbling continuance of raising our awareness of the suffering of those all around us. I will continue to watch and pray for your, all of our, success in reaching peace throughout.
Sincerely,
Laila Meadus
Good idea guys - but you really need to learn not use internal jargon when composing your post titles.
“Launching Report 2007″ that’s not going to work very well in search terms.
“Launching Amnesty International’s Report 2007″ works better