Cambodia Bridges to Justice (CBJ) held its latest training in Phnom Penh with the help of International Bridges to Justice (IBJ) and the Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia (BAKC). The event was an important milestone for CBJ, which is supported by the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF). The event accomplished two important tasks: launching the new mobile phone application “iConnectJustice” and providing lawyers with practical criminal defense skills.

iConnectJustice is the first of its kind: a legal aid app that pairs pro bono attorneys with people in need of free legal representation. The app is an innovative step toward expanding access to justice in Cambodia. Anyone can download and register to use the app’s services. Within minutes, users can enter case details that are sent to a large community of pro bono lawyers. In mere seconds, lawyers can accept a case and contact the client.

The app seeks to solve two problems hindering access to justice in Cambodia: (1) the majority of society is unable to pay for legal representation and (2) finding a lawyer can prove challenging, particularly in rural areas. iConnectJustice resolves both of these issues by making it easier than ever for citizens to request a pro bono lawyer’s services.

The lawyers at the training were eager to learn how to use the app. Participants predict this app will become popular in Cambodia, and a striking 98.6 % of attendees plan on using iConnectJustice in the future. As more lawyers register with the app, client registration is also expected to spike.

In addition to the app launch, CBJ’s training provided lawyers with practical knowledge to sharpen their criminal defense skills. The training covered topics such as “The Rights of the Accused in Cambodia”, “The Rights, Duties & Responsibilities of Defense Lawyers” and “Effective Cross-Examination and Closing Arguments.” IBJ and the BAKC enlisted Michael Karnavas as a trainer for these modules, a highly skilled defense lawyer respected in throughout the world. He shared his knowledge of the Cambodian judicial system and applied theoretical lessons to its particular challenges. Karnavas engaged attendees by sharing his experiences in court and the lessons he has learned. At the conclusion of the training, all of the attendees stated that their proficiency in Criminal Law had improved.

Karen Tse and Sanjeewa Liyanage of IBJ, experienced in conducting community-building exercises and trainings, encouraged the participants to interact with one another, sharing their stories, values, and visions for an ideal Cambodian justice system. The attendees were enthusiastic about presenting the results of their small group discussions. Six young Cambodian lawyers shared their group’s reflections on current challenges of the justice system in Cambodia and what steps they could take to improve justice overall. The participants showed that they are a new, optimistic generation of lawyers, ready to build a functioning justice system in their home country.

International Bridges to Justice’s India Country Program (IBJ India) strives to create a just society empowered to protect human rights. To this end, legal rights awareness campaigns are a central part of our work. Only those who understand their rights can protect their humanity. In India, much of the population remains unaware of their legal rights and how to access counsel. To educate those in need, IBJ India conducts monthly prison legal awareness events to promote a basic understanding of the rights of inmates, prison standards, and legal aid.

From June 2^nd to June 11^th, 2018, IBJ India visited eight prisons in the Tihar and Rohini Jail Complexes to work with inmates and facilitate a Legal Rights Awareness and Legal Aid Camp. The camp worked with over 1,500 jail inmates. These sessions aimed to educate inmates about their rights and duties within the prison. In particular, IBJ India volunteer lawyers and staff taught inmates how to access free legal counsel, how to file for bail, and the role of legal aid in a just society. Prisoners, administrators, and the IBJ India team worked together to develop an interactive and practical program. A diverse set of activities, trainings, and other educational services created a worthwhile experience for the inmates. Presented in a substantive, yet concise, manner, these lessons were crafted such that people of any educational background could understand them.

IBJ India returned to conduct awareness campaigns in 2019. Using the previous year’s efforts as a foundation, IBJ India tested creative new ways of providing legal awareness to those without literacy. Seeking to bridge the gap between informative workshops and engaging storytelling, IBJ staff put on a skit depicting potential pitfalls in the criminal justice system. This engaging, relatable content resonated with inmates and may allow them to better apply the knowledge they gain from awareness campaigns.

Ongoing Challenges

Awareness campaigns are crucial to reduce the stigma surrounding legal aid in India. While Indian lawyers are not supposed to accept compensation in legal aid cases, some nonetheless demand payment. This unfair practice engenders distrust toward providers of legal aid among those most in need of counsel. Inmates ought to have confidence in those representing them. Awareness campaigns and training sessions seek to dispel myths surrounding sarkari lawyers, who are assigned by the government to work on legal aid cases. Empowering inmates to report corrupt lawyers builds trust in legal aid and prevents instances of malpractice. IBJ India’s direct interaction with prisoners rebuilds lost trust and instills confidence that justice can be achieved. By fighting corruption in the legal profession, IBJ India is doing its part to advance both its own work and the work of advocates across the country.

IBJ India continues to innovate new ways to deliver on its mission to protect human rights, including through its Legal Rights Awareness and Legal Aid Camp. This sustainable model for awareness campaigns can be used at other jails across the country. Teaching prisoners to leverage their rights will allow them to improve their circumstances and receive humane treatment. IBJ India’s commitment to human rights through legal education and service truly makes a difference in the lives of those most in need.

IBJ is proud to announce that three bar associations within Syria have officially adopted the IBJ Syria Defender Manual as a core legal education resource. The IBJ Syria Defender Manual, the first of its kind for the country, will continue to help Syrian lawyers to provide quality legal representation to vulnerable individuals in Syria. Three bar associations in Syria — Aleppo, Homs, and Hama — have recognized the Defender Manual as a “scientific reference for lawyers … and for those who are interested in [studying] the law and criminal justice.” These three bar associations will use this manual as a key document to train lawyers on fundamental rights of the accused, duties, rights and the responsibilities of the defense lawyer, and representing clients traumatized by torture.

Members of the Defender Manual Review Committee

Muhammad Bakri, IBJ’s Syria Program Coordinator noted, “this is such a huge milestone for IBJ Syria and the Syrian legal community. It shows that we are making a positive impact on the lives of ordinary Syrians not only today, but for years to come as an entire generation of lawyers will receive this valuable information and put it to good use.”

IBJ’s Syria program was launched in November of 2017. Despite the tenacious efforts of pro bono lawyers in Syria, thousands of vulnerable Syrians are deprived of legal protection. IBJ has been actively working with and supporting Syrian lawyers (using resources like the IBJ Syria Defense Manual) across the country to ensure that every woman, man and child accused of a crime is judged fairly in a court of law and reduce instances of abuse during detention.

The Committee of Lawyers that Reviewed the Syria Defender Manual 

About International Bridges to Justice (IBJ)

Founded in 2000 by Karen Tse — an American lawyer and ordained minister — International Bridges to Justice is a nongovernmental organization that seeks to guarantee all individuals the right to competent legal representation, the right to be protected from cruel and unusual punishment, and the right to a fair trial. IBJ currently has country programs in Burundi, Cambodia, China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, India, Mexico, Myanmar, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Syria, and Zimbabwe.

If you would like more information about this topic, please call International Bridges to Justice at +41(0) 22 731 2441 or email internationalbridges@ibj.org. To keep up to date with IBJ’s activities, follow us on Facebook!

The event was an important milestone for IBJ Cambodia’s Program “Ensuring the Right to Legal Representation in Cambodia,” an undertaking sponsored by the United Nations Democracy Fund, which began in January 2019 and will continue through December 2020.

“Finding ways to provide access to justice to poor and vulnerable people”

During the one-day session led by CBJ’s Country Director Mr. Ouk Vandeth, the Municipal Court Prosecutor of Kandal Province, officials from the Ministry of Justice and local police officers discussed methods for providing poor and vulnerable people access to justice. The group discussed the importance of proper identification and treatment of minors, the need to improve lawyers’ access to defendants held in jails and prisons, and the requirement of obtaining sufficient evidence prior to arrest. Participants clarified how they can work together in relation to each topic.

The prosecutor spoke highly of the event, describing it as a “valuable opportunity for prosecutors, officers from the Ministry of Justice, and police officers to get together to discuss ways [to] prevent minors from [suffering] illegal treatment and [improper] identification, and allow lawyers to meet […] defendants in prison.”

Officers listen in as Mr. Ouk Vandeth introduces the discussion topics to the stakeholders.

The police officers agreed with the prosecutor’s request for lawyers to have access to clients in the prison (or police stations) beginning 24 hours after intake, so that accusations of illegal interrogation procedures will be known to the lawyer prior to the trial. Police officers also agreed to advise the accused of their rights while in custody (Article 43 of the Code of Criminal Procedure).

Moreover, IBJ Cambodia’s Technology Manager Phou Pheakdey introduced the new iConnectJustice app and hotline to the prosecutor and police officers. The app and hotline will allow individuals accused of crimes as well as their families to contact available pro-bono lawyers including IBJ lawyers for representation. All parties commended the app and hotline, and gave suggestions on how to advertise and simplify the iConnectJustice program for use by people in provincial areas.

Mr. Phou Pheakdey introduces the iConnectJustice application and hotline to the justice stakeholders.

IBJ’s work in Cambodia

Cambodians continue to confront challenges as the country rebuilds its judicial system two decades following the end its internal conflict. Numerous obstacles to justice exist, and the accused are regularly deprived of due process rights. Bureaucratic challenges together with a shortage of lawyers — especially in the provinces — has constrained early access to a lawyer by the accused. IBJ aims to amplify people’s legal rights and prevent violations of due process through providing early access to lawyers in over ten provinces. As a part of this mission, IBJ trains defense lawyers via live and online training sessions. IBJ also promotes rights awareness by organizing street law campaigns, radio talk shows, and other public events. Finally, IBJ hosts roundtables such as this one to help create a collaborative platform among justice stakeholders to seek solutions to problems affecting effective and efficient access to justice to vulnerable populations.

IBJ’s newest initiative in Cambodia involves the development of accessibility tools such as the iConnectJustice app, a legal hotline, and an automated Facebook bot system. These tools will not only help individuals to have greater access to lawyers, but will also help lawyers to access legal information and manage their caseloads. Furthermore, IBJ will be able to track legal needs across Cambodia using data obtained through the tools.

Contact details and further information

If you have any questions about IBJ’s country program in Cambodia, please contact:

Sanjeewa Liyanage                                        or                     Ouk Vandeth

International Program Director, IBJ                                        Country Director, CBJ

Phone: +41(0) 22 731 24 41                                                  Phone: +855 70 857 529

Email: sliyanage@ibj.org                                                        Email: ibj_vandeth@online.com.kh

To follow IBJ’s project in Cambodia, connect with IBJ on Facebook.

For the past 3 months, IBJ fellows assisted 6 cases involving minors; 5 were in the province of Cibitoke and 1 in rural Bujumbura. One case involved Celeus, a youth accused with another man of a  theft that occurred at a residence. The other accused, who had already confessed to the crime after being caught with stolen articles in his possession, was given provisional release. IBJ lawyer for the defense, Astère Muyango, argued that the specific juvenile procedures introduced by the new Code of Criminal Procedures were violated. He demonstrated that Article 224, which declares void any interrogation of a minor without the presence of a lawyer or another person duly authorized by judicial authority, had been breached.

The argument between the prosecution and defense hinged upon the age of the defendant and a matter of statutory interpretation – was it the age at the time of the offence or the offender’s current age that must be taken into consideration? The prosecution argued the latter, whereas Muyango rebutted by relying on the Penal Code, more specifically, Article 29, which stipulates that penalties are set based on age at the time of the offense. Celeus was a minor at the time of the offense, hence the significance of the element of age and it’s centrality to Muyango’s argument. This could be the factor that effectively decides Celeus’s fate.

The prosecution called for a delay in order to summon the co-accused who was currently  out on bail. An additional delay would mean that the accused would have to be detained for the time-being – a result Muyango argued would violate the legal provisions that protect minors, as they stipulate that the detention of a minor must be a measure of last resort. Given the interpretation of “minor” and this special protection now afforded to the defendant, the defense concluded that their client should be released. Celeus was released.

Lawyer Astere interviewing his client

Lawyer Aline Nijimbere interviewing her client

A month later, a member of Celeus’s family contacted  IBJ expressing his joy to once again see the child the prosecution had asked to punish with 10 years of imprisonment.

The hard work of exceptional lawyers such as Astère Muyango remind us of how important it is to continue our mission. Despite such a milestone in the fight against illegal juvenile detention in Burundi, Celeus is but one individual who needed legal help that he otherwise would not have had access to. It is imperative to continue working with the police and prosecutors, conducting training sessions and developing best practices to protect ordinary citizens under the auspices of the rule of law.

On December 9, 2014 Sophal and his wife Thea[1], parents of three children, have been released from prison. They are very happy about their discharge and being able to see their children again after such a long time. Even though they were both innocent of any crimes, Sophal and Thea were forced to spend three and a half years of their lives in prison.

From left to right: Mr. Ouk Vandeth (IBJ country director), Sophal and his wife Thea.

This nightmare began back in June 2011, when the police force discovered a body in Koh Kong province. From their investigation it appeared that the man was murdered three months earlier. Police officers started interrogating people and asked Sophal and Thea to visit the police post as well. The couple was uninformed regarding the contents of the interview and they were interrogated separately. Sophal and Thea had a solid and convincing alibi, as they were visiting family in Kandal province, located approximately 350 kilometers away from Koh Kong. Nevertheless, the police reported having eyewitnesses who claimed having seen the suspects at the crime scene on the day of the murder. Thea and Sophal denied this severe accusation and refused to sign the police record stating their confession of guilt. As a result, police officers started threatening with a prison sentence of eighteen years if they would not cooperate.

After three long days of threats and intimidation in police custody – which is in fact illegal as “the maximum duration of any police custody is 48 hours” according to the Cambodian Code of Criminal Procedure – Thea and Sophal finally signed the police record with their wrongful confession. Furthermore, police officers never informed them about their rights and did not even let Sophal make a phone call – claiming they had no battery on their phone.

The unjust police record was sent to the prosecutor who interrogated Thea and Sophal. During this questioning, the couple denied the police record but did no mention of the police threats out of fear for potential reprisals.

The trial hearings took place on February 6, 2012, which was also the day their court-appointed lawyer met Sophal and Thea for the first time. Two eyewitnesses testified seeing Thea and Sophal killing the man but changed their version of the story from the original statements to the police. The defense lawyer requested an acquittal explaining that Thea and Sophal were not in Koh Kong during the murder. Even the prosecutor raised the fact that the eyewitnesses had changed their testimony, but the trial judge nevertheless sentenced Sophal and Thea to seventeen years in prison.

The unfairly penalized couple appealed on March 9, 2012. There is only one Court of Appeal in Cambodia and appeal cases are often pending for a very long time before being heard. Meanwhile, the accused unnecessarily languish in jail. Unfortunately, IBJ does not have an office located in Koh Kong province and can therefore not provide legal aid on a fulltime basis. Nevertheless, Mr. Ouk Vandeth (IBJ Country Director and Fellow) regularly visits the province to take cases of people suffering from the unjust court system in prison. During one of his visits at Koh Kong prison to meet a client, Mr. Ouk Vandeth met Sophal, who had by that stage already spent two years imprisoned without any update regarding their appeal.

Mr. Ouk Vandeth referred the case to the IBJ lawyer located at the Court of Appeal, Mr. Kin Vibol, who then examined it and pushed the court to set a trial date. The hearings had still been postponed several times, but the case was finally heard on November 19, 2014. Mr. Kin Vibol explained that his clients were not in Koh Kong at the time of the crime, that there was no physical evidence proving their guilt, and questioned the reliability of the witnesses as they had changed their testimony.
This trial finally resulted in the release of Thea and Sophal on December 1, 2014. The General Prosecutor of the Appeal Court however, requested a cassation to the Supreme Court, meaning that Thea and Sophal are possibly not entirely done with the judicial system yet.

The couple remains puzzled concerning the false accusations, as they have never had any encounter with the police force or legal system, and had no relations to the murdered victim whatsoever. The acquittal verdict came to Sophal and his wife as a great relief and surprise at the same time. They had no trust left in the Cambodian justice system and their lengthy trial procedure led them to believe that they were facing life in prison. Sophal and Thea are deeply grateful to IBJ for the positive turn of events in their life. Hopefully this court decision is the end of their nightmare, allowing them to peacefully resume their fulfilled family life.

From left to right: Mr. Kin Vibol (IBJ lawyer) with his released clients Thea and Sophal, Mr. Ouk Vandeth (IBJ Country Director) and Mr. Sok Sopheak (IBJ lawyer assistant) in front of Phnom Penh IBJ office.

[1] Clients’ names changed for confidentiality.

Ajay Verma Advocate speaking on Bail

On December 4, 2014 the IBJ India team visited Central Tihar Jail No. 6 in New Delhi to interact with jail inmates and conduct a Legal Awareness Camp inside the Mulahiza Ward (i.e. First Time Offenders Ward). The team consists of Ajay Verma (Fellow & Advocate), Pankhuri A. Mehndiratta (Advocate) and Trishna Mohan Kriplani (Advocate).

The Tihar Jail #6 houses a total of 642 (exclusively women) inmates according to its latest figures, among which there are 29 foreign nationals. A staggering 73% of the entire prison population (472 prisoners) is under trial. This statistic once again sheds light on the issue of overcrowding almost all prisons in India with mainly under trial population. The rules under the Delhi Jail Manual and Delhi Prisons Rules (2000) permit women inmates to keep their children with them until they attain the age of six years. In line with this provision, there are 44 children who are housed in the Tihar Jail # 6 complex as well.

The session was interactive and was received very positively by the inmates and prison administration alike. The IBJ India team identified a number of critical issues that needed intervention. Firstly, there are some issues involving legal documents of prisoners allegedly being stopped from leaving the premises by jail authorities when they are transferred to court. The prison’s Superintendent also noticed the jail inmates’ concern regarding this issue.

Secondly, IBJ India noted a deep-rooted sense of anxiety amongst inmates about the law procedures where the lawyers appointed by the Legal Aid services are perceived to be ‘sarkari’ (government) lawyers. In prisoners’ perceptions, these lawyers collude with state authorities to make them punish more stringently. As Legal Aid services are ultimately government funded, inmates were interested to find out whether they are inclined towards working in favor of the government and against inmates’ interests. Prisoners were then properly informed about the structure of Legal Aid of Government of India, Delhi State Legal Services Authority and also about IBJ’s work in providing access to effective lawyers.

Pankhuri Mehndiratta, Advocate interacting with females in custody

The IBJ India team identified certain cases that required its intervention and has taken them up to be pursued by IBJ’s pro bono task force that actively works in trial courts. IBJ India continues to benefit from the support of the prison administration and strives to ensure the minimization of torture and prison overcrowding. The employed strategy here is early access to legal counsel and advocating the right to bail.

Question Answer Session

]]> http://www.ibj.org/2014/10/karen-tse-honored-at-17th-annual-global-winconference/ Thu, 09 Oct 2014 08:51:04 +0000 http://www.ibj.org/?p=12530 Last week, Founder and CEO of International Bridges to Justice, joined some of the world’s most inspiring and influential women at the Global WINConference in Berlin, Germany.

“More than 800 leaders from across the world, join together to prepare for the future, expand possibilities and realize new opportunities. WIN inspires, provides context, tools, knowledge and a generous network of support for women to contribute authentically, integrating their feminine values and global awareness into all that they do.” {1}

Karen was invited to speak about her work on a panel of the WINConference’s “most inspirational women” alongside Maggy Barankitse, Lorella Zanardo, and Anke Domscheit-Berg. That night Karen was chosen for the prestigious WIN Award,  given to one “outstanding and inspiring woman” each year.

Twitter was buzzing with picture and quotes from Karen’s address!

{1} http://www.winconference.net/WINConference/P_Home/OAwAAH1LT2tQbVFheVZhcFhCCQA

With the JusticeMakers Competition 2014 now underway, International Bridges to Justice would like to take a moment to reflect back on past Fellows whose legacies will serve to inspire future generations of JusticeMakers throughout the world.  2012 HIV/AIDS JusticeMaker Fellow, C. Christian Zarweah from Liberia, answered a few questions about joining the international community of Fellows, what keeps him motivated, and advice for future applicants.

C. Christian Zarweah

2012 Justice Fellow, Liberia

August 14, 2014

What made you apply for IBJ’s JusticeMakers Competition?

Our world is filled with many people who are either affected by HIV/Aids, disability, poverty, ignorance, illiteracy, low-income backgrounds, sicknesses, the haves and the have-nots and they need someone to identify with them so as to find common practical solutions to their plights. It is only when collaborative efforts are applied like the initiative of IBJ can such people find peace and recognition and the dignity they deserve and desire. I was motivated to apply to IBJ to give some hope and dignity to people in my region and country who are affected and those who are vulnerable because of their status so as to give them legal defense and hope and a better sense and realization as to why they exist and what they can do to improve their conditions.

What were some of the initial challenges you faced in implementing your work?

The ability to mobilize and bring the different law enforcement groups and the affected individuals together to speak with one mind and work together was my initial challenge since that idea was strange in my region. Finally we succeeded in mobilizing the police, judges, magistrates, major and key stakeholders and the affected individuals and the medical people to begin to work together and collaborate for the welfare of the affected and vulnerable. Our success was then greatly due to the willingness of the different groups involved to coordinate and collaborate that finally yielded in a defense team been organized, a community volunteer group established and identification of the affected and most vulnerable women and children became a reality when their legal, emotional, and social needs were all addressed.

What were you able to achieve with your grant of $5,000?

The money itself was not much, but it served as catalyst, thereby giving us the different teams and elements to coordinate to ensure positive result as was in our case. There were multiple successes, but the outstanding one that kept ringing bell in my heart and ear was the story of a three year old girl who got affected at birth along with a mother in her mid twenties who herself was affected. We were able to identify this small family who had been chased from one home and community to another by family members, boyfriends, and friends because of their status. We intervened through our legal defense team, provided a place to stay, basic energy and food for them, and established a little table market for sustainability. The mother later became our key outreach person on the impact and effect of HIV/Aids. As I reflect on the face of this young child who found herself affected at birth with an infected mother, I realized that there are many unknown and unheard voices and stories like that three year old and her mother and I was continually encouraged to reach out with the funding from IBJ. We were also able to bring the judges, magistrates, police and stakeholders together to discuss on how to coordinate their activities so as to give legal protection and dignity to the affected and vulnerable. This collaborative effort was one of our key successes where law enforcers have worked independently in the past. We also succeeded in bringing the medical and clinic workers on board so as to work together to conceal the identity of affected persons from the community to avoid attack or abuse. We succeeded in that the medical people promised to help keep the privacy of the effected persons. This too was a major success from our end. The fact that even some of the most vulnerable were given monthly ration of energy food of which otherwise they could not obtain thereby giving them hope, dignity and the sense of belonging was a major success in itself. Our FM education and awareness made the general public to begin to respect the rights and dignity of affected people that too was a major success.

What have you gained from joining the international community of JusticeMakers Fellows?

I have learnt that together when we join hands and efforts and resources, we can achieve much. The little three years old could not be reached directly by IBJ, but through collaboration and coordinating resources, the little vulnerable three year old found grace and relief through an IBJ sponsored project. When we collaborate and better coordinate our expertise, resources and efforts, we will surely achieve more even with limited funding.

I also remain grateful to IBJ whose project support and intervention gave Lua and her daughter Susanna hope and stability and full legal protection.   Yes, indeed, together we can play our collective roles in building bridges to the affected, the neglected, the outcast, the forgotten, and the orphans and vulnerable because they are affected and we can renew their hopes and dignity.

As a recipient of IBJ’s JusticeMakers Competition, what advice would you give to those looking to apply?

As a recipient myself I would like to give these pieces of advice to those seeking to apply:

1. That they truly have the human love and interest in what they want to do
2. That they have the enthusiasm and determination to withstand pressure in the midst of multiple challenges
3. That they are able to work with different people of different expectations and backgrounds
4. That they have the interest of the affected and vulnerable at heart
5. That they are willing to volunteer and serve rightly and properly doing the project and after

The UN declared 26^th of June the United Nations Day in Support of Victims of Torture. To honor these victims and their families, International Bridges to Justice brought together members of every faith at the World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical Center in Geneva, Switzerland to light a candle and say a prayer for the end of torture in our lifetime.

Religious leaders, country representatives, and members of the Geneva community came together to stand in solidarity with International Bridges to Justice and the efforts of our JusticeMakers and Fellows around the world working to enact justice for all accused.

Guests gather at the World Council of Churches’ Chapel

Michael French conducts the welcoming

Reverend Richard Gyhra representative from the Holy See Mission to the United Nations in Geneva

“We also pray for a change of heart of the perpetrators of torture, because we want what is good, what is true, and what is just.”

-Rev. Richard Gyhra

Reverend John Beach, Rector of Emmanuel Church in Geneva

“We give thanks to you, for those who defend human rights and the various people who work with determination and faithfulness for the care of  all victims of violence. Let us never make peace with despair.”

-Reverend John Beach

Vuillemin Vincent Keisen from the Zen Dojo of Geneva

“As numerous are the sentient beings, we make the vow to save them all.”

-Vuillemin Vincent Keisen

Dr. Rama Mani offering a chant for peace

“I ask us to prayer for all the torturers around the world.  May their shuttered hearts be blown open by the power of love. May they rediscover their humanity, so they can begin the long journey to undo their harm and to sow the seeds of love.”

-Dr. Rama Mani

Rav Dr. Izhak Dayan, Grand Rabbai of Geneva

“Our leaders today must learn that abusing weak and helpless prisoners compromises our ideals and diminishes rather than enhances our power”

-Rav Dr. Izhak Dayan

Faramarz Falahi and Ramin Granfar

Faramarz Falahi quoted Kitab-i-Aqdas who spoke of the human condition in regards to the Baha’i faith:

«l’importance de la valeur des êtres humains, de l’importance de la coexistence paçifique , de la coopération et du soutien mutuel, sans discrimination, haine, hostilité et préjugés religieuses aveugles »

“the importance of the value of human beings, the importance of peaceful coexistence, cooperation and mutual support, without discrimination, hatred, hostility and blind religious prejudice”

Amir Hashom and Sayed Salih Al-Hakim from the Al-Hakim Foundation

Sayed Salih Al-Hakim

Sayed Salih Al-Hakim, Director of the Dialogue Center “Al-Hikma,” in Najaf, Iraq, offered a prayer for a commitment to peace from every faith.

Geshi Luntok, Geshi Gedun, and Othok Rinpoche, from the Shedrub Choekhor Ling Monastery and Buddhist Center in Mont Salève offering a chant

Othok Rinpoche

“Je prie et je souhaite le monde de vient une famille, et comme une famille, et pour ça on a tous la responsabilité de faire ce qu’on peut.”

“I pray and I hope the world becomes a family; we all have the responsibility of doing what we can for our family.”

-Othok Rinpoche

Founder and CEO of IBJ, Karen Tse

“We are at a time in history where standing on the side of righteousness says we will stand with everyone. We will stand because no one should be tortured.”

-Karen Tse

The IBJ Choir leads the singing of Word of Justice with Patty Solomon

Sanda Freeman leads Dona Nobis Pacem

Guests were invited to light a candle

Karen Tse and Rav Dr. Izhak Dayan

Maria Teresa Avila Shogetsu, Vuillemin Vincent Keisen, and Reverend Richard Gyhra

Rav Dr. Izhak Dayan, Maria Teresa Avila Shogetsu, and Vuillemin Vincent Keisen

Reverend Beth Linguri closes with a moment of reflection

“We bring this energy of love and surround them with this light. This brings peace and justice and the qualities of love into those places where there appears to be separation, where there appears to be injustice.”

-Rev. Beth Linguri

Esteemed guests and IBJ staff gather together after the Vigil