* "All human beings, whatever their cultural or historical background, suffer when they are intimidated, imprisoned or tortured . . . We must, therefore, insist on a global consensus, not only on the need to respect human rights worldwide, but also on the definition of these rights . . . for it is the inherent nature of all human beings to yearn for freedom, equality and dignity, and they have an equal right to achieve that." -- 14th Dalai Lama

 

[torture] presupposes, it requires, it craves the abrogation of our capacity to imagine others' suffering, dehumanizing them so much that their pain is not our pain. It demands this of the torturer, placing the victim outside and beyond any form of compassion or empathy, but also demands of everyone else the same distancing, the same numbness...
-- Ariel Dorfman

The degree of civilization in a society can be judged by entering its prisons.
- - Fyodor Dostoyevsky

* "The UN Declaration of Human Rights laid down what any person might reasonably expect, yet there are remarkably few people who enjoy these rights. With cameras in the hands of activists and meaningful distribution of those images, we will witness what really goes on in this world and hopefully want to change it." -- Peter Gabriel

* Sometimes I have been very dispirited. But if we disappear, we leave the door open to all kinds of abuse. So I say to my colleagues, “Don’t be too ambitious. If you look at all the problems in Cambodia at once, you cannot work. Like you build a house, you build it brick by brick. If one day you save only one victim, be happy for a day. The next day, save two.” Some days we save 10, 20, 100 or 200.” So I say, “Don’t look for quantity, look for quality. It will take a long time to advance human rights, but keep moving.” When I save a child or a woman, I’m happy, because I remember the little girl of seven I was. It’s a reward for me to see the new generation of advocates. They are our future. I am very proud of them. -- Kek Galabru

* You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind. -- Mohandas Gandhi

* "The aim of torture is to destroy a person as a human being, to destroy their identity and soul. It is more evil than murder... Today we know that survivors of torture can be helped to regain their health and strength, and in helping them we take the weapon from their torturers. They sought the destruction of other human beings. We have proved that they have not succeeded." -- Inge Genefke

 

End Torture Quotes

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End Torture Day - June 26

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