Amnesty International/Reprieve conference: Guantánamo -- only the tip of an iceberg of abuse
“Where is public outrage?" asked Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International, on the final day of conference
the organisation has hosted with Reprieve conference.
In the past three days, the conference has highlighted Guantánamo, where many conference delegates have spent time, as
the public face of authority stepping outside the rule law in the name of the "war on terror".
However, Guantánamo is only the tip of an iceberg of abuse. Secret detentions, renditions, unfair trials and
"disappearances" are practices that fuel torture and create division; ultimately endangering us all.
"We are forced to grapple with a betrayal of common values, double standards and double speak," Ms. Khan said. "Only
through continuing to work together: ex-detainees, families, lawyers and other activists -- using a variety of tactics,
from media work to litigation, demonstrations to letter-writing -- can we end the abuse and combat impunity for torture
and other ill-treatment."
"Through AI's global network of activists in 74 countries, we must galvanize public opinion to work towards achieving
security through the respect of human rights and dignity. We each must take the responsibility of shattering public
apathy. "
In the words of Clive Stafford-Smith, Reprieve's Legal Director: "What are YOU going to do about it?"