Pauline Dempers

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Overview

Pauline Dempers born Aranos, Hardap, Namibia April 28, 1968. Namibian human rights leader; anti-Apartheid protester; arrested as a spy and tortured by SWAPO in Angola exile 1986; national coordinator Breaking the Wall of Silence 1996 exposing SWAPO abuses and finding reconciliation.

Quotations

“I also want us to listen to each other to find a solution. This should be the foundation on which we build: honoring the ones who could not make it back home, acknowledging that this was a real situation that we have to deal with. We must put a human face on this history, and say never again will we get there. Then build in strategies and policies that prevent that with the help of both the ones who have lost and the ones who have caused the pain.” (quote and photo Jenna Barnett, “Tell Them Our Names”, pp. 55-6, Kroc WomenPeacemakers Narrative)

Martine Bonny Dikongue

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Overview

Martine Bonny Dikongue born Yaoundé, Cameroon December 15, 1960. Economist; nonviolent conflict resolution trainer; peacemaker in post-genocide Rwanda; speaks 12 languages. Developed "Méthode Coulombe," white dove method of cultural reconciliation, 1997. Nobel Peace Prize nominee, 2005.

Quotations

"My dream is to see all people smiling. Not because they have to, but because it comes from within." (quote & photo World People’s Blog)

Assia Djebar

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Overview

Assia Djebar (née Fatima-Zohra Imalayen) born Cherchell, Algeria June 30, 1936 (d. 2015). Algerian novelist and filmmaker; portrayed terrible violence of Algerian War for independence with the nonviolent alternative proposed by Camus. Received Neustadt International Prize for Literature in recognition of her body of work, 1996; awarded Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, 2000.

Quotations

“[T]his geology stained red with blood. What magma of sounds lies rotting there? What stench of petrifaction seeps out? I grope about, my sense of smell aroused, my ears alert, in this rising tide of ancient pain. Alone, stripped bare, unveiled, I face these images of darkness. . . How are the sounds of the past to be met as they emerge from the well of bygone centuries? . . . What love must still be sought, what future be planned, despite the call of the dead?” (1985, in Ben Salem, “I shall Intervene,” 2011)

El-Ghalia Djimi

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Overview

Djimi el Ghalia born Agadir, Morocco May 28, 1961. Western Sahara nonviolent human rights activist. “Disappeared” in Moroccan custody, 1987-91. Vice-president of Sahrawi human rights organization ASVDH.

Quotations

“Despite this climate of grave violations of human rights, crimes against humanity and war crimes, Sahrawi society is evolving to claim these legitimate rights by peaceful means. Faced with barbarity we find that the relentless pursuit of peace and human dignity is fully respected.” (Rome, Nov. 26, 2006; photo territoriosocupadosminutoaminuto.blogspot.com)

Sheena Duncan

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Overview

Sheena Duncan (née Sinclair) born Johannesburg, South Africa December 7, 1932 (d. 2010). Anti-Apartheid leader, succeeded mother Jean Sinclair as head of Black Sash 1975-, 1983-6; pacifist promoting nonviolent liberation; arrested 1986 for praying at parliament for black mourners; active in End Conscription campaign.

Quotations

“Our task is to find non-violent ways in which power can be transferred to the powerless thereby creating a society of true peace and justice.” (encyclopedia.com; photo theguardian.com)