Why is it important to defend individual prisoners of conscience?
At the heart of the most fundamental freedoms enshrined in international law are the freedoms of expression, association, and belief. When the peaceful exercise of these rights prompts a government to imprison someone, this injustice not only harms the individual but also jeopardizes the freedom and security of the whole society. Indeed, it is the imprisonment, and thus the silencing, of individuals that most inhibits a free and open society. It is paramount that we support and defend those who are working to make the world a better place. Human rights are individual rights. In order to improve respect for human rights, we must defend these rights on an individual basis. Broad issue advocacy is not sufficient to compel a government to release someone unjustly imprisoned. Focused individual attention is needed. We are able to secure the release of prisoners of conscience specifically because we mobilize dedicated and influential advocates who focus on an individual’s case.
