|
This year's program will mark the 32nd anniversary of the September 21, 1976 car bombing that killed Chilean diplomat Orlando Letelier and American Ronni Karpen Moffitt. Until 9/11, it was the most infamous act of international terrorism ever to take place in our nation's capital. Letelier and Moffitt were colleagues at the Institute for Policy Studies, where Letelier had become one of the most outspoken critics of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet. Moffitt was a 25-year-old fundraiser who ran a "Music Carryout" that made musical instruments accessible to all. A massive FBI investigation traced the crime to the highest levels of Pinochet's regime.
The Institute for Policy Studies has continued to host the annual human rights award in the names of Letelier and Moffitt to honor these fallen colleagues while celebrating new heroes of the human rights movement in the United States and elsewhere in the Americas.
You are also invited to stay and watch the Presidential Debate with us at the Press Club, beginning at 9 pm.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
National Press Club Ballroom
529 14th Street NW, Washington, DC
Award Recipients
Indian Workers Congress
Presenter: Barbara Ehrenreich
The Indian Workers Congress has taken a courageous stand against what is essentially modern-day slavery. Their ordeal began when they were among several hundred Indians recruited in 2006 for post-Katrina reconstruction work. The recruiters, hired by Signal Corporation, a Northrop Grumman subsidiary, promised the men green cards if they each paid $15,000-$20,000. Instead, after arriving in the Gulf Coast, they were given 10-month guest worker visas and placed in isolated labor camps. In March 2008, more than 100 walked off the job and formed the Indian Workers Congress. With the support of U.S. allies, they embarked on a "satyagraha," a Gandhian tradition of traveling by foot in the pursuit of truth and justice. Their journey took them from New Orleans to Washington, DC, where they testified before Congress and endured a 29-day hunger strike, demanding that Signal and the recruiters be prosecuted for human trafficking. A Justice Department investigation is ongoing.
Read More: Indian Workers Congress
Francisco Soberon and Asociación Pro Derechos Humanos (APRODEH)
Presenter: Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD)
APRODEH has been the driving force behind the current trial of former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori for alleged crimes against humanity during his 1990-2000 reign. This trial marks the first time a former head of state has been extradited to his own country to face justice for human rights violations. APRODEH supplied the attorney who is representing victims' families in this case and is responsible for recent convictions of death squad leaders. In her book Speak Truth to Power, Kerry Kennedy highlighted the APRODEH founder, stating that "In the violent, vicious military and political battle that has divided his country, Soberón has been viewed with suspicion and fear by both sides. Throughout the last arduous twenty years, Soberón has never failed to report abuse, even though doing so has endangered his life." Indeed he continues to face threats from all sides. In May 2008, leading international human rights groups came to Soberón's defense when current government officials made unfounded accusations against him.
Read More: Francisco Soberon and Asociación Pro Derechos Humanos (APRODEH)
Read More about The Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Awards and previous awardees at www.ips-dc.org.
Selection Committee
- Sarah Anderson, Institute for Policy Studies
- Fred Azcarate, AFL-CIO
- Marie Dennis, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
- Joe Eldridge, Chaplain, American University
- Jill Gay, Activist
- Adam Isacson, Center for International Policy
- Peter Kornbluh, National Security Archive
- Isabel Morel de Letelier
- E. Ethelbert Miller, Howard University
- Joy Olson, Washington Office on Latin America
- Barbara Shailor, AFL-CIO
- Daphne Wysham, Institute for Policy Studies
IPS Lettelier-Mofit Award page
|
Past recipients
|
|
1978
|
|
Samuel Rubin
Reverend Benjamin Chavis, Jr.
|
|
Samuel Rubin's Acceptance speech
Interview |
|
|
1979
|
|
The Association of Relatives of Disappeared People (Chile)
Alfred 'Skip' Robinson, United League of Mississippi
|
|
![](/archives/images/letelier/awards.jpg) |
|
|
1980
|
|
The Legal Aid Office of the Archdiocese of San Salvador
Reverend William Wipfler, National Council of Churches
|
|
|
|
|
1981
|
|
Jacobo Timmerman
The Congregation of Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic
|
|
|
|
|
1982
|
|
Cardinal Paulo Evaristo Arns of Sao Paolo, Brasil
The Infant Formula Action Coalition
|
|
|
|
|
1983
|
|
Center for Legal and Social Studies (CELS) of Argentina
Father J. Bryan Hehir, US Catholic Conference
|
|
|
|
|
1984
|
|
Dr. Ramon Custodio, President, Committee for Human Rights in Honduras
The Sanctuary Movement
Reverend Charles Harper (Special Recognition Award)
|
|
|
|
|
1985
|
|
The Grupo de Apoyo Mutuo (GAM) of Guatemala
The Free South Africa Movement
Frances Arbour (Special Recognition Award)
|
|
|
|
|
1986
|
|
The Vicariate of Solidarity (Chile)
Pete Seeger
|
|
![](/archives/images/letelier/peteseeger.jpg)
|
|
|
1987
|
|
Bishop Mario Melanio Medina (Paraguay)
Washington Office on Latin America
|
|
|
|
|
1988
|
|
Radio Soleil (Haiti)
Charles L. Clements, M.D
|
|
|
|
|
1989
|
|
The Union of Indigenous Nations of Brasil
The National Labor Committee in Support of Democracy and Human Rights in El Salvador
Robert Scherrer (Special Recognition Award)
|
|
|
|
|
1990
|
|
The National Human Rights Coordinating Committee of Peru
Richard Trumka, President, United Mine Workers of America
Father Jim Felts and Proyecto de Cristo Rey (Special Recognition Award)
|
|
|
|
|
1991
|
|
Jorge Gomez Lizarazo, President,
Regional Committee for the Defense of Human Rights,
Barrancabermeja, Colombia
La Mujer Obrera, El Paso, Texas
|
|
|
|
|
1992
|
|
Evans Paul, Mayor of Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Sam Buffone and Michael Tigar, lawyers for the Letelier-Moffitt Case
Saul Landau (Special Recognition Award)
|
|
![](/archives/images/persons/landau.jpg) |
|
|
1993
|
|
Bishop Samuel Ruiz Garcia and
Fray Bartolome de las Casas,
Human Rights Center in Chiapas, Mexico
Marian Kramer and the National Welfare Rights Organisation
|
|
Ariel Dorfman's
keynote speech |
|
|
1994
|
|
The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE)
Coalition for Justice in the Maquiladoras
Harry Belafonte (Special Recognition Award)
|
|
![](/archives/images/letelier/belafonte.jpg)
|
|
|
1995
|
|
Plate-Forme des Organisations Haitiennes des Droits de l'Homme
Rose Johnson, Center for Democratic Renewal, Georgia Project
Jennifer Harbury (Special Recognition Award)
|
|
|
|
|
1996
|
|
Dr. Leo Valladares Lanza (Honduras)
Young Shin and Asian Immigrant Women Advocates (AIWA)
Pharis Harvey (Special Recognition Award)
|
|
|
|
|
1997
|
|
Alianza Civica
Sin Fronteras Organising Project
Reverend Dr. Mac Charles Jones (Special Recognition Award)
|
|
|
|
|
1998
|
|
Coordinación Colombia-Europe (Colombia)
Rose M. Sanders
|
|
|
|
|
1999
|
|
Juan E. Garcés
Kensington Welfare Rights Union
|
|
![](/archives/images/letelier/kensington.jpg)
|
|
|
2000
|
|
Oscar Olivera, Coordinator in Defense of Water and Life
November Coalition
|
|
![](/archives/images/letelier/2000.jpg)
|
|
|
2001
|
|
25th Anniversary
Terrorism and Human Rights
Remarks at the 25th Anniversary Letelier-Moffitt Dinner
Michael E. Tigar
Professor of Law, Washington College of Law, American University
|
|
Pictures of the Reception and Dinner, 17 October 2001
Above: Francisco Letelier
|
|
|
2002
|
|
Bishop Alvaro Ramazzini
Jobs with Justice
In memoriam Naúl Ojeda
|
|
![Naul Ojeda by Emily Light Rose](/archives/images/letelier/naulojedabyemilylightrose75.jpg) |
|
|
2003
|
|
Nancy Sanchez Mendez
CASA de Maryland
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (Special Recognition Award)
Speech by IPS Director John Cavanagh
|
|
|
|
|
2004
|
|
Military Families Speak Out
Seymour Hersh (Special Recognition Award)
|
|
![Poster](/archives/images/letelier/lmaward2004.jpg) |
|
|
2005
|
|
Barrios Unidos
Judge Juan Guzman (Special Recognition Award)
|
|
In the picture: The 2006 award winners
|
|
|
2006
|
|
Maher Arar and the Center for Constitutional Rights (International Award)
Gulf Coast Renewal Campaign (Domestic Award)
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Senator Gustavo Petro
Appeal for Redress
DC Vote
|
|
|
|