Title: 2009 Gleitsman International Activist Award (Part 3)

" Of the Kennedy school of government and the center for public leadership. I am pleased to award here and change the placement international activists award Karen. Thank you thank you offered being here. The restaurant I eat -- that they now. Part. That particular honor. Them. Speaking here today. It. Doesn't now. Thank. You -- become -- numbered years. And in the urge you years and they tell you that you -- school and well. And then he. Really. Much more -- and and down but -- members in the first few years when absolutely. You know in the very beginning and it paid yet in an -- haven't liked what he -- And people start offering you jobs and really nice job that -- packages -- really expect that I think you and it really if you job. I think. It. Went from now we remembered that professor at me you know. You can do this and when you do. When you come back. And no. Cooler. Months. And years every day. When -- haven't -- have in my house. And counts. McKeon at around. And every fifteen minutes a day like this to be okay. Yeah it's really difficult when you don't know when your next cup of coffee. Break the bank. But I that he every day of my head I would he myself speaking before Christmas class thing you know it was really really difficult. -- and I can tell you this is even better."

" And."

" Thank you all for being here and there's only people who are here that have really. Been a huge part of the tyranny and international which is just it's really to start. Harvard. Parents have been leaked a particular choice for an aunt Edith and blocked -- and I get through it. Shivers down my spine because it's really cute and to create. And beat and -- possibility. I also understand that today's huge honor for me for international beat the justice. That you don't know what it means you defenders can read and -- eaten anything and announcement toward it if he literally hundreds of you name and phone call and I just I -- Or would you. I don't I wouldn't normally be reading my Blackberry here -- I'm not that much of an attic. But here's one of them. This -- is found. -- the this footage from food and enslavement. And he ranks with his colleagues could not playing he's just to make. And he says first congratulations and Harvard award one big step for chat. An extra giant leap for criminal offense -- And here's -- from. Here is one from our defender. --"

" He says I've just written message about the reward. And I take this opportunity and my heartfelt joy and congratulations. Step by step the struggle is being recognized and appreciated but the larger public for the benefit of the fight. Beacons that treatment of human being. And and part of it is this is that there are unbelievably courageous and throughout the world in every country. And I think that there's -- Not recognized in anyway what's the weather. There -- people who. And she know oftentimes defendants human rights and as we call them are recognized by the way and yet it -- time. Most people working torch today and we say that 95% people being tortured they are not political prisoners. But -- just every day people in broken down legal systems. And because of that it's not -- UN defenders were helping them. It is promoted and lawyers who are often seen as being exactly you know almost on the same side. And if the defendant himself and so in many countries in some countries. -- defenders until. Are bitterly embodiment of what they're fighting for being the extent that Courtney saying my clients and tortured. And the next thing you know they can -- order handcuffed they're not detail. It beaten and bloody and then it confessions -- and being. I had obstructed justice. And so for many of these defenders. What allows them to keep going. -- author the strength of their connection to each other. And knowing -- there is an international community that supports them. And yet there's there's a poem that says -- when it's at times our own light goes out. And it's the kingdom but after another and analysts say that this place an award has definitely. -- hinder the spark for Sony defenders throughout the world and and right now at this very moment. You know recently -- because they keep this as just the first step to the opening at -- science. Greater and greater ability for the group to recognize their struggle. And to move forward with it. You know right now I know it's not impossible that. We actually do believe that he -- possible to -- torture and investigative tool in this country. There is 113 countries that torture."

" And encouraging me 93 of these countries all on the -- that you currently. -- right now tortured. The problem the question really is -- implementation. And -- And so while -- remembered 25 years ago being college and rumors -- like -- In care well you could do is write a letter right there was dictatorships. Closed Communist system. Secretary governments knew that passion is really precious little he could to. I usually with -- these. In 93 countries actually law on the books that he actually might be tortured. If you -- that we haven't come together the world community to prioritize is to believe this to know it's possible. And so oftentimes people think and he he now this tree that crackpot last night he looks nice idea here and let everything happen. And and we currently if they remember here with the exact same words that I print before. For people when they decided to come together -- group. And and slavery in the next eight or come together and -- tied. There comes a point history where you believe it's possible you see and -- me. Now here's a couple of things first Wednesday. It was really nice and very charming people in China but the reality is -- an accident. And I tell -- Taylor secrets."

" And number of years ago in Cambodia. I let them working together with a number of treating police officers and -- with prisoners. And time and time again on prisoners who -- manipulate it -- other and be picked up. And at the time I was -- an orphanage. Missionaries of Charity which is part of the and I remember that there was any. There's sisters heroes and I and -- now but -- that the typical. How to do human rights personally at the time the UN. And I at that time was threatened by itself. Will hunt hunt we record -- And -- a member. -- really scary. She keeps me to think you know care. If you want to achieve -- there's two things to me. You have to remember. And their line is defined in the food and a person where you really believe that our parents wonder and -- That you put -- And crew which moved him. He -- to transform reality the second think that is -- that whatever you focus on little ground. Some people the negative negative. You focus on other things actually can -- And so I know an ounce of -- and returning but the truth is. I don't think it's -- and that turning its that. There are the only people in the world and -- in the country. Want to -- and ethnic problem in and free country and an enemy -- hand. My colleagues and we think it's only places and we're like we're in this prison and we can't -- here -- countries -- people like it would be impossible for you. And yet we have only been welcomed with open. And people have always. What can lead to help and that is an animal mentioned that even from the most. What was considered repressive preaching that we -- and an anti -- you know -- I'm gonna help I wanna help and undefined way where you. And that's why. Kind of relief that it's possible. I'm going to -- it's possible I want to come number one think -- you. Who has joined. In the community international justice. Thank -- individually supported me and I think on the during the next here amber. And pretended Lebanese army certainly is oriented about this for -- Anthony school but I really should be doing this thing in the and speaking with. You know the eyes of each. -- think about it but we can do it in Britain through some of those issues. And then you know communicating school. With Reagan thing here practicing actually practice my -- Kennedy school. -- that. And then and then having my internship with -- Here and learning to cut into different pieces I really see that. That. They've been individuals who have beaten me in the process professors -- Believed in me and for that -- here with that you know it comes -- Kennedy school."

" You and I -- reverend telling him earlier I was almost insulted when it comes to -- suspects and that -- that -- are likely to. And he suggested maybe you'd need a little more help and that's okay I'll try that. -- came here and it was actually amazing and it I was here so often that I remember. Asking you patent."

" Exactly but -- here. But what I what I see is that. You know Iowa. And -- Batman and might -- now. Currently. And I hated speaking. And it it every class with -- in -- case it."

" And that was mostly underground with. With with any school. It was really from and their answer is that went because it took me that long. And and at the same time on one and what it was about something -- and -- enough. And we can keep. That. Okay with. Something else -- would seem to move forward because people believe me like. This professor who didn't feel -- in -- freshman. And and Alan because of that I was able to move forward and do. You eat. Eat something in the -- this is exactly true and a half -- today is to leave Wi fi. In the most amazing possibilities with Regis and that's just been in place. And -- wanted to. I went into the present. At -- And that was the worst prisons and it doesn't -- I. -- It was. It was really mind me and and and if -- hurt even with in the last month. Five that I died because conditions. -- re thinking about. Usually really cramp in. It to indicate that it. Well when congress and a commitment to a repeat -- in my line and completely Graham -- know. Area it's not like here and he would raise your hands fingers units from the fact that in tortured fingers repent. And Helen Helen you know they knew. That it is that we where people than it for a very long time. And many of them. That curious how Long. Island two years three years five years he used means. In -- and -- that it. How long he's been here with. The most the lower with that to me. Now my talents and kind of -- hundred dollar that I've used it but. He needs to be there. As well. Let me -- Act these prisoners were together -- focus this. -- And in time and -- And the neat thing thing. Now I -- for like to give them something and -- But that the key. And that should tell the story -- something that we hope that very important and it went there and get. That. Seriously because the situation so shocked that every sort of came into my mind in the food. All our another story about -- a tighter and it paid in the every three came with plate. Food -- prisons and so accidentally. And -- gift of giving you -- and -- yet. And you don't they they the ones that could happen. And in what was amazing isn't it not -- with with our international which. Is. That. It's unknown how to. -- and anything to me we hope. And we -- you need ten people. Need. Hope and would be. But it and burglars and Bob we are absolutely anything I mean there. In a situation where it went first and I'll be it was. Even intimidated. And had a lot. And yet seeking his international which suggests -- look at it pound leadership on. And and then even if the person with African together. -- McCain and yet we felt like -- in the -- often. It's not appearing well done film with a twelve -- and the aptly. But the amazing thing about it is that. There's literally. Coming from a place we've seen countless. And meet up with such phenomenal her story. And they talk about abandoning the culture here and and -- They talk about being. Ordinary. Lawyers. But the fact that they don't need to be extraordinary they can be ordinary who has written that they can move forward. And they call themselves the makers. Believe that I believe that there and everything and there. With international regions suggest that they actually writing course. -- think. Of Zimbabwe. In China. And in one. I'd tell her everything at -- time and again and script they can't. Case by case you'll right. You're country with every case they happened today. Don't torture in this begin to build the infrastructure needs and he had changed to change -- pieces. And what we see the layers are coming again not only -- the -- normal movement. And and -- I think it is the thing that's the surprising to many people there's no way. He believed the -- and it. But it's an."

" Started her with that is just think it's not. -- either under. It's been here. But it that this would this was an idea about something you. And did you hear that lets -- continue. But that that that part of it and here's the -- that he now. People that like with a little bit of money what can you really you did tell speakers competition with the competition. 5000 dollars for eight -- to make it anywhere in the world. To implement innovative project. Ending torture and it will. And honestly. We're grateful to him. And because you'll definitely fund it. But no if and when it. And an all under the -- Because -- you. Going to make it possible you know in this this. For eight dollars if I think that that's going to be one. If I and a hotel. -- 1001. But but but but he -- really that you know there's there's that there comes a time in history we you have to do the infrastructure that trust the people on the ground. It was absolutely me we have over here on it was it was it was completely. -- What voluntary and that we had the money that basic infrastructure but it would've cost you know ten other people that man competitions of this -- has -- Over a million dollars so we did it on -- much fraction of the cost. On. 1000 people were finding 2000 people. And won't be Anders did. Was that it was not only the projects themselves and it but it was. The spark of hope. It was that we -- requests from everywhere in the world and China and the interesting thing is after an ambulance. We are very successful. We heard your request from India and pockets. And one in nineteen in the virtual. World. Every once we've -- issue. We have the on the books but they cannot be implemented and we can have any international support and can help -- And we thought you know we -- them down and say no we can't be there some kind of structure. Because they can hold onto it for hope and I can't believe that it -- some hope you go pretty. That's it. -- that was very much that ultimately compact. And when you're successful and that kept me going because that would be that it would be time. And we wanted to create that kind of hope and inspiration for the and detonate he would win the competition this time there was something important anti -- After the jet makers right now we eat me when. He's at correspondence from people. I."

" You'll feel like a winner because I'm not connected to this community and I know of at this time for next time and and justice makers have connected everywhere we have to make it from. Pakistan talking to just make -- you've gone into. But Wanda to Cambodia and this is an amazing thing for us that these movies together. And it asked and the world community to stand and believe what them so I wanna thank you. For believing with us today. And tell you that it's not only an award for me for international -- justice but also on behalf of really -- defenders everywhere. You have given tremendous hope. An -- and I hope that you and you support and if they will continue because -- agree -- that. Well."

" We have a -- on the island you sentiment would like to ask. Karen a couple questions that our future."

" It. I'm better at got to. Question one story. You were at every other excellent. Never forgotten that it. And -- you -- talk about hope. In the future. And what can happen. What you really do every day confront -- And darkness. And I heard his -- And a I want to tell a story about. Maybe the moment where you were close to giving him what cut through. Confining that Buddha not Christ and --"

" Well if you get it you hit it hard. Do you think about it it terrible thing here is gone leader in the book that moment it's. -- line. In wintertime. But I will say this this -- day life and alert but I was in. I wouldn't want to. And it was it was really strange. Because. Oftentimes when. We -- with lawyers are. Grouped into what's happening. And people -- indeed it's absolutely hopeless but I will say it and Randy. The difference that I see that you talk to police officers that they stay here let's lock down 500 meters in the market. We were tortured. Aren't locked into the prisoners and this is the political prisoners. And -- you see that there are obvious but there's. Active recognition. He can begin to work. And I was one. And beyond the time because there was in fact it -- me the way. You can hear that."

" Literature and you lock out two which would even negotiation class here and the school. You go out your copy break it -- of torturing lets you consider breaking fingers in bringing people torture. And and and they think he's dead -- hide everything. And what you can see though that there's no actual. Legal aid system there. And when that's being constructed that it just this. Doesn't actually have leaders working in the prisons or anywhere it's -- and -- without. It was that without dinner and I was -- a woman Anita who with coach training with me. And she said she told me about the case that she can't read this that this entity in Houston this one case where. A woman who was that was given the death penalty this is back in 1996. And it remembers in the death penalty for wasting her neighbor. And he's that I wouldn't take this case and for some reason doesn't look much. Better opportunity to upper case and found out that the woman who was poisoned. -- she had poison actually what point should the walking around not that at all. And in fact there was no evidence whatsoever that there had been any place but of course who had been tortured. In keeping with the action she took the case because it became. The only you know was let out and cheat -- on the second case that was written on right and it. -- abortion is illegal. So if you happen imports and you get on your prison and and and that is what has more human rights punishment if your baby died which. Quite likely then go to prison. It's issues -- but this case where this woman had given birth and brought it the hospital gave her the remains the child. And she was being home to -- her backyard and -- camera -- in prison. They -- an abortion. And -- talking her feeling. Overwhelmed because the reality is that there is actually happening one. We borrowed money from another you know borrow -- to -- And down so -- for the day. And really thought about it at their one and went home that night and I think right now and Barry Bonds. The email from."

" I would say it in in -- anyway and this is like. And then I came back in a very good at the next day and how much you -- company. But its program grew one and returning moments project. I think when -- continue to lead. It's hoping that you do you see that -- and you have the same time there's -- hoping transmission everywhere like. Our Cambodian -- right now. You if you are in Cambodia who would torture people. And he is now beating the defenders and repeated over and over again. That. People can transform. And asthma and sometimes it's about the structure that there and and it's not period for phone. It's about how he. --"