Last night’s record voter turnout and victory for Senator Barack Obama are a powerful demonstration to me that the American people are passionate about hope for the future and are willing to work to bring about the change they desire. It was inspiring to witness so many people turn out to exercise one of the most fundamental human rights.
This historic election also reaffirms my belief in the strength and effectiveness of grassroots organizing and the power to build a decentralized movement for change. That is the model on which Amnesty International was founded, and still forms the core of our life-saving human rights work.
Now, as we move forward and begin to work on the challenges ahead, we can do so with fresh affirmation that when committed individuals stand together and work toward a common goal, fundamental change is possible.
As human rights activists, we have new opportunities to press the United States government to abandon existing policies and practices that led to violations of rights at home and abroad, as well as a decline in U.S. reputation.
I encourage President-elect Obama to put human rights at the heart of the new administration, and I encourage all of you to keep fighting for human rights–for everyone, everywhere.
Please explain Amnesty's stance on abortion. In the US in many places elective abortions can be performed up to the day of birth, long past viability, and abortion survivors can be left to die. This seems to me a mojor violation of human rights. Does Amnesty oppose any forms of abortion? I ask this because President-elect Obama has a record of being very liberal with his votes regarding protecting VIABLE unborn children. SO while he may free the suspects in Gitmo or pledge to end torture of adults, does Amnesty ask that he end torture of small beings that cannot defend themselves against vaccums, forceps, and scissors? I firmly belive in the rights of all people, even those not outside the womb yet. Seems to me for all the human rights Amnesty professes to fight to protect they should also fight for rights of the unborn. And they may well do that. I truly am asking for clarifcation, because I hear alot about torture and other acts around the world, but I don't recall hearing their stance on the rights of the unborn.
Please explain Amnesty’s stance on abortion. In the US in many places elective abortions can be performed up to the day of birth, long past viability, and abortion survivors can be left to die. This seems to me a mojor violation of human rights. Does Amnesty oppose any forms of abortion? I ask this because President-elect Obama has a record of being very liberal with his votes regarding protecting VIABLE unborn children. SO while he may free the suspects in Gitmo or pledge to end torture of adults, does Amnesty ask that he end torture of small beings that cannot defend themselves against vaccums, forceps, and scissors? I firmly belive in the rights of all people, even those not outside the womb yet. Seems to me for all the human rights Amnesty professes to fight to protect they should also fight for rights of the unborn. And they may well do that. I truly am asking for clarifcation, because I hear alot about torture and other acts around the world, but I don’t recall hearing their stance on the rights of the unborn.
Congratulations! People coming together always make a difference. Voting is a human right and there is no question about it. I hope this will be a world wide reality soon.