U2 360 tour kicked off in Chile (c) Amnesty International
Lucy Macnamara, Communications Manager, Art for Amnesty
I’m back with Amnesty International on the U2 360 tour, kicking off the first concert of the Latin America leg here at the Estadio Nacioal in Santiago, Chile. It’s an infamous stadium with a dark past. I have to admit a shiver went down my spine as I first walked in, thinking of the hundreds of people interrogated, tortured and murdered in here following the coup in September 1973. Between September and November that year alone, over 12,000 people were imprisoned here – men held in the field and gallery and women held in the swimming pool changing rooms. Not the best picture to have in your head as we did our ‘walk through’ at the venue and an eerie contrast to the sunshine, blue skies and birdsong outside.
Of course, much time has passed since then. It was here that U2 were honoured with Amnesty’s prestigious Ambassador of Conscience Award when they last played this venue in 2006 – a ceremony attended by many relatives of the ‘disappeared’. It was touching that U2 invited them to attend the concert again tonight. Continue reading ‘U2 360 tour – Chile’
Concluyendo una visita de una semana a Chile, la Secretaria General de Amnistía Internacional, Irene Khan, emitió una evaluación de la situación de los derechos humanos en el país y una serie de recomendaciones para el gobierno de Chile.
“A pesar de algunas medidas positivas adoptadas por los sucesivos gobiernos democráticos en los últimos 18 años, el historial de Chile en materia de derechos humanos deja mucho margen de mejora,” dijo Irene Khan.
“Pedimos a la Presidenta Bachelet utilizar los 17 meses restantes de su mandato para crear un decisivo y perdurable legado de los derechos humanos.”
Continue reading ‘Recomendaciones para el gobierno de Chile.’
Concluding a one-week visit to Chile, Amnesty International’s Secretary General Irene Khan has today issued an assessment of the human rights situation in the country and submitted a series of recommendations for President Bachelet’s last year in office.
“Despite some positive steps taken over the last 18 years, much remains to be done if Chile is to demonstrate commitment on human rights. In the time that she last left in office, President Bachelet has an opportunity to create a long lasting legacy for human rights in Chile,” said Irene Khan.
Continue reading ‘Recommendations to President Bachelet to improve human rights in Chile’
Indigenous leaders and activists meet the Amnesty International Delegation in Calama. ©Amnesty International
Amnesty International’s delegation travelled to Calama, in the North of Chile, in the most arid partof the world.
The dryness is unimaginable. It is a bit overwhelming to be in the middle of the Atacama desert, dealing with human rights problems that epitomize Chile: the unfinished business of the past and the very pressing marginalization and discrimination of Indigenous Peoples nowadays.
The daykicked off with a meeting with Atacameños and other Indigenous Peoples sharing their problems with us:
Continue reading ‘Human rights in the most arid part of the world – part 1′
