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Women Against the Death Penalty Event and Photo's
Thursday, 12 January 2006
I had the great honour and privilege to meet some of the most courageous women I have ever met at this event.
Tamara Chikunova, head of Mothers Against The Death Penalty And Torture in Uzbekistan, has campaigned against capital punishment in the country since her 28-year-old son Dmitry was executed despite allegations that he was tortured into a false confession.
Tamara was not even told her only son was dead and she was never given his body. He is buried in a secret location.
Fellow campaigner Dilobar Khudoberganova is raising the case of her brother, Iskandar, who has been on death row since 2002. There are allegations that he was similarly tortured into a false confession.
these women are so brave because them campaigning could have them shot in the street or tortured. YET they continue to speak out.
Sister Helen was wonderful of course, and as ever Kenny managed to call me while I was at this event. He seems to make it a habit to call when I am at Amnesty events:) And he and Sister Helen had a right old chat and she asked him to be her voice of love and support to all the other death row inmates.
It was touching that she got to speak to a death row inmate when she was here in UK. Bet she didnt expect that :)
I also met with Nick and Karen Yarris at this event. Nick as most know was freed from PA death row almost 2 years ago after 23 years on death row for a crime he did not commit.
So in all it was a very special event, with lots of interest also in the John Spikro case from various groups and organisations.
I was very nervous at speaking because I am not a public speaker like these other people but I think I managed to wing it and do the best I could do.
I met with Yasmin our UK lawyer and also Mark from Reprieve.
Thank you to all at Amnesty for arranging this event and making it the success if was. Hopefully more people join Amnesty and also join in the fight to end the death penalty.
You can see the photographs online on this site: