Letters for Liberation: UGA's Amnesty International

by Kelly Skinner

It is November 29, 2001 in Rangoon, Burma. One man stands alone in front of the capital's City Hall peacefully petitioning the government. The 74 - year old, Dr. Salai Tun Than, retired rector of Yezin University and professor of agronomy is advocating social justice and democratic elections in Burma. He does not carry weapons, he does not create a scene, but to authorities, the agenda - oriented 74 year - old is a threat; he is detained by the Military Intelligence Service. In 2002, Dr. Tun Than is sentenced to seven years jail time in Insein Prison in Rangoon, a place notorious for its torture of prisoners. It is two weeks before his family is notified of his whereabouts. Salai Tun Than has poor health and is denied health care, family members are not permitted to visit him, he is denied his Bible, and he is denied his rights. News of Dr. Tun Than's detainment spreads rapidly across the globe and soon people are writing letters demanding his release. In the United States, students from the University of Wisconsin, Madison (where Tun Than earned his PHD in crop nutrition) and from the University of Georgia (where he received his Masters in Agronomy) are leaders in the movement for his release. In Athens, GA, UGA members of SGA and Amnesty International work with the media and the government petitioning, writing letters, and informing the public of Tun Than's situation. On May 4, 2003 after serving 18 months, Salai Tun Than is released from prison. In a speech given before the press that resonates around the world, Tun Than gratefully acknowledges all of those that wrote letters demanding his release. He specifically recognizes students at the University of Wisconsin and at UGA. UGA Amnesty International members rejoice at the good news and smile humbly at the world wide recognition they have just received. It is successes like this one that make all of the hard work worthwhile.

Created six years ago at UGA, Amnesty International (AI) is open to students of all ages, sexes, races, political affiliations, sexual orientations, religions, and economic backgrounds. The organization is non - partisan and volunteer based. At the world - wide level, AI has over 1.5 million supporters and is represented in over 150 countries and territories. The University's Amnesty International serves to protect people's rights both at home and abroad. The club sets its sights on helping: refugees, prisoners of conscience (people arrested because of beliefs, ethnicity, sex, color, language, or sexual orientation), sexual slaves, girls and women fleeing violence and persecution, rape victims, victims of domestic violence, victims of genital mutilation, those unjustly harassed and tortured, and those discriminated against or terrorized due to race, religion, or sexuality. As stated in its mission statement, AI at UGA seeks to "prevent and end grave abuses on the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination." AI holds governments accountable for their actions by shedding light on brutal situations and infringements against human rights. Students achieve this by writing letters at their weekly meetings that are sent either directly to the government responsible or to their U.S. representative.

Each meeting, co - president Kacie Moreno - Schoen or another student involved with AI addresses the group with an issue. Individuals are open - minded and attentive as information is presented by way of video, guest speaker, a knowledgeable member of the club, or by literature. Dissent on issues and friendly debates among members are occasional occurrences that are both welcomed and encouraged. At each meeting the club then presents its focus victim for the week. Students write letters, address, them and stamp them. All of this is accomplished within the time frame of an hour. The atmosphere is friendly, energized, and concerned. Second - year student Alec Watts, a Political Science major from Stone Mountain Georgia has been involved with Amnesty since high school. He currently is a member with AI at UGA and is the co - legislative coordinator for the state of Georgia. "Amnesty is a group of sincere, intelligent people that realize there are larger issues in the world to worry about than our own lives," observes Watts. "I feel that this is one of the few organizations where people are involved because they truly care about the subject at hand, not because of any ulterior motives."

Outside of its meetings, AI aims to inform the public of global and domestic human - rights issues. They achieve this by setting up tables at various festivals and events, holding rallies and demonstrations, and inviting speakers to educate the public. Among a few of the things that the AI has done during the fall of the 2004 - 2005 school year have been showing a movie for "Coming Out Week," and folding, signing, and sending origami tulips (the symbol of the Turkish women's rights movement) to the Turkish embassy. During Sudan week, UGA's AI participated in a demonstration for Sudan by having its members wear black arm bands to commemorate victims. During this week the organization also invited Professor Mauritis Van Der Veen to one of its meetings to speak about Sudan.

Always active, Amnesty International is constantly researching, educating, and writing to promote freedom and equality for victims all over the world. Working to save the world one person at a time, AI at UGA is making visual differences in the lives of others, both in the U.S. (including Georgia), and abroad. Just ask Salai Tun Thai, he knows firsthand.