Livewire - Amnesty International blogging for human rights

Irene Khan - Secretary General - Amnesty International

I have been told dozens of stories about violent protests since I arrived in Kenya. Today’s rally was not violent. Residents of informal settlements and NGO’s took off to the streets to demand their rights in a remarkable, non-confrontational march. Their energy and organisational skills are impressive; it felt great to be part in this.

The Black Marimba theatre troupe set the tone for the day. A mix of traditional dancers and acrobats performed a spectacular show at the central park, very energetic. Immediately after the performance, people assembled behind their respective banners and marched along one of the main streets of Nairobi, singing and chanting. The banners were incredibly effective in portraying the plurality of representation and in articulating people’s demands.


Continue reading ‘The march’

Mapuches meet the Amnesty International delegation. ©Amnesty International

On Tuesday, the Amnesty International delegation traveled to Temuco, 700 kilometers south of Chile’s capital, Santiago. Temuco is an amazing place, where the ever present Andes, with their large snowed tips, meet vast woods and green lands.

Some of those lands are home to thousands of Mapuche Indigenous peoples to whom the earth is not only a place to live in, but a way of living

I had the opportunity to meet many of these Mapuche Indigenous peoples. They told me many stories of abuse and suffering. The key message that came through was that they are prevented from participating in decisions that will impact in their communities; that no one listens to them.

Continue reading ‘“I have no money, I have no power and I’m dark skinned” – hearing the unheard in Temuco’