The candle burns not for us, but for all those whom we failed to rescue from prison, who were shot on the way to prison, who were tortured, who were kidnapped, who "disappeared". That's what the candle is for
Peter BenensonRead
Open your newspaper - any day of the week - and you will find a report from somewhere in the world of someone being imprisoned, tortured or executed because his opinions or religion are unacceptable to his government.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the struggle for freedom of expression and the consequences faced by individuals who dissent against oppressive governments.
Peter Benenson's quote draws attention to the harsh realities that many face around the globe due to their beliefs or opinions that conflict with governmental authority. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for human rights and the importance of standing against injustice, emphasizing the need for awareness and action in response to such violations.
Themes
FreedomExpressionJusticeOppressionRightsGovernment
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on human rights, one could reference this quote to emphasize the importance of standing up against governmental oppression.
More from Peter Benenson
All quotes →Torture is banned but in two-thirds of the world's countries it is still being committed in secret. Too many governments still allow wrongful imprisonment, murder or "disappearance" to be carried out by their officials with impunity.
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