British lawyer Peter Benenson, the founder of Amnesty International, said: “It’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” This slogan motivated Blaine Mineman to “get in the game” of political activism, rather than remaining upset with world events from the sidelines.
Mineman was the featured speaker, as The Whiteside Forum opened its 2013-2014 season of provocative discussions with the theme “Human Rights,” on Thursday, September 26, 2013. Over 30 people attended the session from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Odell Public Library Program Room, 307 S. Madison Street, Morrison, IL. He is flanked by Marc Adami and Jane Ann Ardapple.
AI is one of over two dozen nongovernmental organizations (NGO’s) who champion human rights around the globe. They
- share information
- monitor human rights violations
- engage in lobbying activities
- organize advocacy campaigns
- provide humanitarian support
- litigate to protect human rights.
A handout listed AIUSA’s three current campaigns. First is Individuals at Risk: “In countries around the world, people’s lives are threatened, because of who they are or what they believe. Amnesty International puts protecting individuals at risk of human rights violations at the very heart of our work.”
December is the write-athon month in countries around the world, but AI members write appeal letters all year long. Their goal is to aid “prisoners of conscience,” seeking the release from prison or cessation of torture and offering encouragement. Over 25,000 individuals have been released because of these efforts. This organization has been aided by pop artists who support their work, but the real leverage comes from exposing unjust regimes to the world.
Campaign two is Security with Human Rights: “[This] Campaign works to ensure security for all of us by breaking the cycle of terror and torture between armed groups and states.”
There are countless rules governing the importation of bananas, Mineman stated, but very few rules governing the trafficking of weapons. On Tuesday, September 24, AIUSA commented on U. S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s intention to sign the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty on Wednesday, September 25. It read, “All Americans should celebrate that the United States has pledged to do its part to end the unscrupulous trade in deadly weapons used by dictators, war lords, and cirminal gangs to commit atrocities,” stated Deputy Executive Director, Frank Jannuzi. “This treaty is simple but profound. It says that nations must not export arms and ammunition where there is an ‘overriding risk’ that they will be used to commit serious human rights violations. It will help keep arms out of the hands of the wrong people: those responsible for upwards of 1500 deaths worldwide every day.”
Campaign three is Abolish the Death Penalty. “The death penalty is the ultimate, irreversible denial of human rights. By working towards abolition of the death penalty worldwide, Amnesty International aims to end th cycle of violence created by a system riddled with economic and racial bias and tainted by human error.”
He admits seeing both sides of this issue.
Mineman lives in Chicago, IL. He is the Area Coordinator for Illinois for Amnesty International USA, the largest grassroots human rights organization. Mineman also has over 20 years of management experience with major corporations and the U. S. Government. He earned his MBA in Finance and a BA in Political Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Currently he is working on his first book, “Everyday Magic: Creating Positive Energy by Supporting Human Rights.”
“Amnesty International is a global movement of people fighting injustice and promoting human rights. We work to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth, and dignity are denied. Currently the world’s largest grassroots human rights organization, we investigate and expose abuses, educate and mobilize the public, and help transform societies to create a safer, more just world. Amnesty International was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977 for our ‘having contributed to securing the ground for freedom, for justice, and thereby also for peace in the world’.”
October and April include Lobby Weeks, where AI members approach Congressional staff with their concerns. Adult and student memberships are inexpensive, $25 and $15, respectively.