The following is an archived copy of a message sent to a Discussion List run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
Views expressed in this archived message are those of the author, not of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
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Dear 'List', As a long-time campaigner against sanctions/bombings of Iraq, also as an A.I. member, I have been thoroughly apalled by the virulent attacks on Amnesty, on this site. A.I. works to promote human rights everywhere, not exclusively for Iraq. The sanctions issue, although not entirely ignored (esp. by A.I. of U.S.A.), many would agree, has not had the attention it deserves. But, therefore, to gloss over governmental injustices, pretending they don't exist, is blatant dishonesty, perhaps even to oneself. I must admit that the reports I have read, about wrongful imprisonments, torture, branding, amputations, executions etc., in Iraq, were all harrowing and sickening. Such wicked practices, nor sanctions & bombings, can never be justified. About 6 months or so ago, Ghazwan queried A.I.'s record re. sanctions. He confessed to his ignorance, re. A.I., admitted to never having read any reports. I tried my best to clarify some of the issues. Then the director of New Zealand Amnesty stepped in with an excellent account, which rendered anything I might have had to say superfluous. If "human rights", nowadays, a familiar phrase, means anything at all, then people must work together to achieve them, locally, nationally & internationally. Regrettably, mistakes have been made, on rare occasions serious ones. But A.I. works in some 150 countries, often under extremely difficult circumstances, at times in great danger from those with few scruples. Frequently, the causes are unpopular, where the world seems to care little, or not at all. It is easy enough, for someone like Ghazwan, to hurl irresponsible abuse & accusations, despite his shallow knowledge. The agenda is crude anti-Amnesty propaganda. - I have no problem with Ghazwan being a Ba'athist, if he is, but - if so - at least he should have the decency to declare it. I have forwarded Ghazwan's letter to A.I. in London. They may consider him a time-waster. On the other hand, they may, having passed by the insults & crudities, seriously consider some of the points he is making. - "People ...ignore and/or use A.I. reports to further their political agenda." Make your mind up, Ghazwan! Greetings, Bert Gedin (Birmingham, U.K.). _________________________________________________________________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com _______________________________________________ Sent via the discussion list of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To unsubscribe, visit http://lists.casi.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/casi-discuss To contact the list manager, email casi-discuss-admin@lists.casi.org.uk All postings are archived on CASI's website: http://www.casi.org.uk