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Human Rights First builds respect for human rights and the rule of law to help ensure the dignity to which everyone is entitled and to stem intolerance, tyranny, and violence. More »
Human Rights First builds respect for human rights and the rule of law to help ensure the dignity to which everyone is entitled and to stem intolerance, tyranny, and violence. More »
National Security After September 11: A Rights Perspective
Remarks by Michael PosnerExecutive Director, Human Rights First.
Presented to the American Bar Foundation
San Antonio, Texas
February 7, 2004
Introductory Remarks
It is a great pleasure for me to be here and a special privilege to be introduced by Jerry Shestack. As Jerry told you, he hired me in 1978 to become the first director of the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights, which is now called Human Rights First. Jerry and Jim Silkenat, who is also here tonight, were the first co-chairs of the Lawyers Committee's Board. Jerry and Jim took a real chance when they hired me - a 27 years old associate at a Chicago law firm, less than three years out of law school and still wet behind the ears. I am eternally grateful to both of them for taking that risk and for the support they have given me throughout the years.
I also want to thank Steve Walther for inviting me to speak to this distinguished group. I know that some of you will disagree with some of what I will say tonight. I very much appreciate Steve's willingness to give me this forum to make my case.
In 1978 Jerry wrote a law review article entitled "Sisyphus Endures" in which he describes the work of non-governmental human rights organizations, but could also have been a description of himself. In it he wrote: "In his constancy to reach the summit, even with failure preordained, Sisyphus demonstrated that the human spirit is indomitable, and that dedication to a higher goal is, in itself, man's reason for living."
Jerry's career as a teacher, lawyer, leader of the bar, public citizen and diplomat is testimony to his own indomitable spirit. In addition to his remarkably successful career in private law practice, Jerry has been a leader in the ABA, including service as ABA President in 1997-98. I worked most closely with Jerry in his role as the Chairman of the International League for Human Rights, and in his founding of the Lawyers Committee. I also watched Jerry up close as a diplomat, when he led the US delegation to the UN Commission on Human Rights in 1980. In that post he helped establish a working group on disappearances, leading the effort to demand accountability for these crimes in Argentina and elsewhere.
In each of these endeavors Jerry, like Sisyphus, has struggled to push the boulder up the hill. In his law review article Jerry observed that "The realities of the world may foredoom a great part of the struggle [for human rights] to failure. But he emphasized that
"The very struggle itself takes on a symbolic meaning, enhancing human dignity. And when all is said and done, there is no other human course to pursue." This is Jerry, and he has made a difference that is far more than symbolic - to our profession, to our country and to the world.
To read the rest of the speech, click here.