The Act of Forgetting

...How Human Rights Get Lost

The phone rings for a few seconds before ..."Hello?" The voice on the other end of the line is youthful and calm, yet there is something else, a twinge of nervous energy. After only a few minutes of conversation, however, this energy reveals its true nature: passion. Another voice joins in via speaker phone, and soon we are in a lively discussion about the roots from which that passion grows.

Amnesty International at UC Irvine's co-chairs, Ameena Higgins and Christine Petrossian, speak to me about their involvement with the organization. The girls' voices overrun each other as they excitedly tell the story of their organization. A story that is told in over 85 countries, by millions of people; it is of amnesty and the fight for human rights. The definition of "amnesty" means to forget or to be oblivious of past government offenses. The irony in the name is not exactly subtle. Formed in the 1960s, Amnesty International is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) which began humbly with a simplistic mission: to uphold the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

A document written and signed by members of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights mainly focuses on the basic human rights of equality, safety, and freedom from acts of violence and displacement. These rights include: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood; No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; and No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Originally created in response to Nazi Germany and other groups just after World War II, Amnesty believes it still serves a purpose in today's world where mass murder and slavery still exist. Now, there are hundreds of branches of the organization, such as the one at UCI.

The rights stated in the Declaration are second nature to students like Ameena, Christine, and myself.
However, after reading the stories of torture and persecution in Myanmar and unspeakable acts of violence in Uganda, it is clear that these rights do not come easily to so many others in the world. By taking urgent action, Amnesty seeks to spread the idea of human rights to all parts of the world.

"Urgent action," says Ameena, "is writing letters to our government and the governments of countries where human rights are not given enough attention." It is a "gesture of compassion" founded upon knowledge and reasonable claims. A gesture acted out in order to reach people who can take steps to reduce violence and stop the destruction of human rights.

These actions are more difficult when they become international and deal with adamant and powerful people. However, for Amnesty International, the simple ability to stand up and fight against those who take advantage of other people is enough to keep its members motivated.

Becoming a member of Amnesty is not difficult. The UCI chapter holds meetings every week on campus where they discuss current world issues, write letters together, fundraise for causes, listen to guest speakers from around the world, and put on film screenings pertaining to Amnesty's work.

The group is rather small even though the magnitude of Amnesty International is worldwide. Maybe it is because sometimes Amnesty's goals seem too lofty or untouchable for students. Or maybe it is because many believe America's government violates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well. Ameena says that she had to be dragged to her first meeting because these issues disheartened and discouraged her. With human trafficking, drug smuggling, and torture camps on the list, students find that Amnesty's goals are beyond their reach. What can one person do after all?

Yet, Amnesty International stresses one purpose the most: the organization works toward worldwide human rights together. A person can join and do as much or as little in the organization as he or she desires. If anything, he or she can at least educate him or herself and then go on to educate friends and family.

It is about awareness. Such awareness helps make logical steps toward human rights for all possible. Contrary to her gut reaction to run from the first meeting, Ameena goes on to say, "What I found there was nothing like I expected. It opened my eyes to the whole world and how dire it is to do something about it. Once my eyes were open, I could not look away." Success in worldwide problems is not unreachable, it is possible. Just look at the "Success Stories" on the website: www.amnesty.org. And if those are not convincing, imagine where we would be without the laws that protect us each day from being tortured; and maybe even imagine the possibility of that kind of peace, one that is upheld and understood throughout the human race.

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