It's only when we imagine for ourselves what it would be like to run from state terror, torture, rape, the destruction of our homes and families that we can understand how vital it would be to find a place that welcomed us and tried to heal our wounds. -- Emma Thompson

"No exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state of war or a threat of war, internal political instability or any other public emergency, may be invoked as a justification of torture."
--United Nations Convention Against Torture

"I swore never to be silent whenever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." -- Elie Wiesel

“Human rights is the only ideology that deserves to survive” -- Simon Wiesenthal "When history looks back, I want people to know the Nazis weren't able to kill millions of people and get away with it.” -- Simon Wiesenthal

"Chinese and Tibetan dissidents are either locked up in prison, forced into hiding, or silenced by fear of police retaliation against their families. All the happiness about China's economic growth has made many Americans forget that police clubs and guns and the Laogai system keep the Communist Party in power. Moreover, it is still little recognized how American resources help to sustain that power through trade, investments, and the transfer of technology... It is only when the Laogai is abolished in China that real change will come about." -- Harry Wu

"...we should not give up and say that the situation is hopeless. There is still our conscience, there is still the memory of the victims of this war, there is still our duty to try and prevent further bloodshed. We have to prosecute all the perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity." -- Lida Yusupova "...civil society has not lost the possibility to influence the government and force them to change their policy. That is why we believe in your voice and your help." -- Lida Yusupova

I love life and want to hold onto it. But my passion for justice for my tormented people, for their dignity and freedom, must be greater still. For of what value is a life of slavery, of humiliation and contempt for that which you hold most dear: Your identity! I will therefore not give in to the Turkish Inquisition. -- Leyla Zana

End Torture Quotes

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END TORTURE
HERO PIX

Kofi Annan | Peter Benenson | Susan Brownmiller |
Dalai Lama | Inge Genefke

End Torture Day - June 26

See also HUMAN RIGHTS Quotes