Lantos Foundation Mark the Anniversary of International Women's Day

March 8, 2011-On the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice applauds the role that women in Muslim countries are playing on the front lines of the new movement toward democracy in Egypt and beyond.

“It is remarkable that one young woman, 26-year old Asmaa Mahfouz could start a movement on Facebook that would play a major role in galvanizing the pro-Democracy movement that has had such a profound effect on governments throughout the region,” said Dr. Katrina Swett, President of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice.

Mahfouz made a plea for democracy that was uploaded to YouTube which was shared on Facebook. Within days the video went viral.

“As new democracies are born, the importance of the full and equal inclusion of women must be a priority of American foreign policy vis-à-vis these nations. The Lantos Foundation is committed to the cause of women’s rights in the Middle East, Afghanistan and around the world. Those countries that fail to protect the rights of women and girls cannot be considered full partners in the advancement of human rights,” Swett said.

“In the memorable words of Hillary Clinton during the 1995 Beijing Conference, “Human rights are women’s rights-and women’s rights are human rights.”

Lantos Foundation reacts to events in Egypt

The demonstrations in Egypt are vivid reminders that the United Sates Government cannot afford to ignore and excuse the human rights abuses engaged in by our allies. Unfortunately, that is how we have dealt with Egypt for 30 years.

In 2004, Congressman Lantos offered a crucial amendment to the Foreign Aid bill that would have cut 570 million dollars in military aid to Egypt and instead diverted those resources to economic assistance and support for democratic reform. Tragically, the Administration mobilized all its resources to defeat Congressman Lantos’ amendment. At the time they issued dire warnings about the risk of angering an important Middle East ally.

As we now face the specter of one of the most important countries in the region falling into dangerous and chaotic instability, the wisdom of Tom Lantos’ proposal is clear. The Middle East and the world would be safer today had the U.S. Government used its influence and leverage towards meaningful economic and human rights reforms.

Congressman Lantos understood the hard realities of the world as it is, but he also understood that in the long run, America’s interests would be best served by a foreign policy that reflected our values and stood up for human rights and justice.

We call upon the government of Egypt to respect the rights of its citizens by moving rapidly to respond to their legitimate demands for reform. We also urge our leadership to show strong support for those forces that are seeking responsible democratic and economic change in Egypt. America must not miss this opportunity to be on the right side of history.

Lantos Foundation statement on the death of Richard Holbrooke

The Lantos Foundation and the extended Lantos family remember with gratitude the life of our friend and Advisory Board member, Richard Holbrooke. Through decades, his nation and the world were privileged to man who was deeply committed to building a more just and free world. This is a task he never tired of devoting himself to and the world is a safer and more decent place thanks to his efforts.

He lent his stature and wisdom to the work of the Lantos Foundation and shared with his friend Tom Lantos an unshakable commitment to human rights and justice is every corner of the world. It is no accident that the Dayton Peace accords, of which he was the primary architect, contained more human rights provisions than any such accord in the history of diplomacy.

In his book about the Dayton Accords, poem, The Buried Life. These lines are an apt tribute to this larger devote his intellect and his “restless force” in pursuit of a better world and a deeper life.

But often in the world’s most crowded streets,
But often in the din of strife,
There rises an unspeakable desire
After the knowledge of our buried life;
A thirst to spend our fire and restless force
In tracking out our true original course;
A longing to inquire
Into the mystery of this heart which beats
So wild, so deep in us-to know
Whence our lives come and where they go

-Matthew Arnold, The Buried Life

The Lantos Foundation and family are full of admiration and appreciation for the life of Richard Holbrooke and we extend our sincere and deep sympathy to his beloved wife Kati Marton.

Last update from Olso, December 12, 2010 - Katrina Lantos Swett

On our last full day in Oslo we experienced both sobering and exhilarating moments. We visited the Resistance Museum housed in the ancient Oslo Citadel. The Norwegians were attacked by Germany on April 9, 1940 and fought a courageous and unrelenting battle against their occupiers for five long years until their final liberation in 1945. This resistance encompassed almost every part of Norwegian society including students, soldiers, teachers, ministers, journalists, and untold thousands of ordinary men and women - many of whom paid with their lives for their resistance to tyranny. The Resistance was one of Norway’s finest hours, and it was a solemn reminder that while peace is one of humanity’s highest and most noble aspirations, the world faces a jagged path towards its realization. I found myself thinking of President Obama’s speech when he accepted the Peace Prize last year. This young war-time leader said, “Make no mistake: evil does exist in the world. A non-violent movement could not have halted Hitler’s armies.” I left the museum pondering his further observation on the “seemingly irreconcilable truths that war is sometimes necessary…but no matter how justified, war promises human tragedy.” Humanity has not yet found a real answer to this terrible riddle.

Yet the Nobel Concert, the culminating gala of the Prize event, seemed to whisper, sing, and even trumpet that peace, brotherly love, and a world built on respect for every human being are indeed within our grasp. The star studded cast was superb- Anne Hathaway and Denzel
Washington served as the co-hosts, and Anne Hathaway was particularly warm and disarmingly natural. The performers ranged from jazz legend Herbie Hancock and Swedish pop star Robyn to the final performer Barry Manilow. The entire audience of the Oslo Spektrum was on its feet, and there was a palpable joy bubbling up from the crowd. The night concluded with the cast and audience singing Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror.” As we later filed out into the cold streets of Oslo, there was a smile on every face and a desire in every heart to do more in our own lives to bring about peace on earth and goodwill to people everywhere.

Update from Oslo, December 11, 2010 - Katrina Lantos Swett

It is remarkable, over the period of a day and a half, how one can come to feel so close to a man one has never met – a man who is not present and yet whose presence is overwhelming in its impact. Although I have not had the privilege of meeting Liu Xiaobo, I feel that I know him and have surely seen the profound influence for good he has had on the world from his remote jail cell in China. Through his writings and the many tributes and testimonials that have been offered, I have come to know of his deep love for his wife, his spirit of dignity and strength, his love for China, and his belief in the power of freedom and human rights.

While every seat was filled at last night’s banquet, many people commented on the irony that the most important seat was the empty chair at the Prize event where Liu Xiaobo’s diploma and medal were placed in his absence. This empty chair has become a powerful metaphor for the emptiness of China’s claims to respect the human rights of its citizens. I am told that it is no longer possible to Google the words empty chair in China and that the Nobel Committee’s site has gone dark in that country as well. And yet there was a general consensus among the people I spoke with that this Prize could well mark a turning point in the struggle for democracy in that vast and powerful nation.

I had the pleasure of dining next to Geir Lundestad, the Director and Permanent Secretary of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, and he said the committee was amazed at the overwhelmingly positive response to the decision to award the prize to Liu Xiaobo. Norwegians tend to be rather understated, and Geir said that there were rarely, if ever, standing ovations at Prize ceremonies. Yesterday, Xiaobo was given three. It was interesting to hear Geir speak of the pressure from the Chinese Foreign Ministry on the Committee to dissuade them from presenting the award to Xiaobo. One is tempted to ask how they can possibly be so afraid of this one gentle man who speaks of forgiveness and respect and who has firmly proclaimed, “I have no enemies.” The answer is simple and familiar – like all dictatorships throughout history, they are afraid of freedom and the power of free individuals to think, choose, and act of their own accord. They are also afraid of the heroes among us who are willing to sacrifice their freedom, comfort, and privileges to stand up for their principles.

I was so proud last night to be with one such hero – Fang Zheng. Zheng lost both of his legs when a tank rolled over him in Tiananmen Square. He and his compatriots are filled with joy at this Prize which truly belongs to all of them, and they are filled with the hope that this represents a new beginning for China. One of them said to me, “China, if it is free and democratic, can help bring greater peace and prosperity to the whole world.” I don’t think that is an exaggeration, but it needs to begin with China letting one man go free so that his empty chair may be filled.

Update from Oslo, December 10, 2010 - Katrina Lantos Swett

We just returned from the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, and I am feeling deeply inspired and uplifted. The simplicity and sincerity of this occasion is a powerful antidote to the cynicism that“life” can sometimes engender. The venue was the Oslo City Hall, a beautiful venue that held about 1100 people. Its most notable feature is stunning murals of Norwegian life that are most reminiscent of the murals done by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression in post offices and other public buildings around America. There were only two speeches at the event – a stroke of genius and compassion in and of itself.

The Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Thorbjorn Jaglund, gave an excellent speech that clearly articulated the purpose of the prize. He spoke about the essential link between democracy and human rights and the world that was established in the aftermath of World War II and the Holocaust – namely a world based on ideas of international cooperation (the United Nations) and the recognition of universal human rights (the Universal Declaration of Human Rights). He lauded China for its remarkable economic progress that has lifted tens of millions of people out of poverty. He then went on to respectfully but firmly reminded them that their own progress as a great power cannot reach its full potential as long as they continue to deny their own people the fundamental human rights that they have embraced in the Universal Declaration and in their own Constitution.

The incomparable Liv Ullman read Liu Xiaobo’s final statement to the court which he wrote last December just days before he was sentenced to 11 years in prison for writing and speaking on behalf of peaceful democratic reform in China. The statement is titled “I Have No Enemies,” and the most striking thing about it is the spirit of reconciliation, respect, forgiveness, and love that permeates every word. After hearing his words, it was clear to me that he was chosen not only because he is a prominent Chinese dissident but because he has a profound understanding of how to achieve real peace, even in the face of persecution and imprisonment. Because neither Liu Xiaobo nor any member of his family was present, the medal and diploma were placed on an empty chair on the platform. The entire audience rose as one for a sustained standing ovation, and it was clear no one wanted to sit down. The chair may have been empty, but somehow it seemed very full – both of his spirit and the spirit of many other heroes of Tiananmen Square and beyond who are ready to sacrifice themselves for a China that is truly free and can then take its place as a great nation of the world.

Liu's only request to the Nobel Committee was that children sing at the ceremony. The Children’s Chorus of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet closed the program with a delightful medley of traditional songs and pieces by Norway’s most famous musical son, Edvard Grieg. While the majority were the traditional blue-eyed blond haired Norwegians, it was wonderful to see the diversity represented by the children aged from 5 to 18.

As we emerged from the Hall after greeting many people, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Congressmen Chris Smith and David Wu, there were a few snowflakes beginning to fall on the festive streets of Oslo. It was fitting, celebratory, and above all peaceful!

Update from Oslo December 9, 2010 - Katrina Lantos Swett

We arrived in Oslo today on the eve of the Nobel Prize ceremony. At the Grand Hotel which serves as the check-in hub for guests and participants in the Peace Prize event, there is a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation about tomorrow’s ceremony. Upon arriving at the hotel, we almost literally bumped into the actress Anne Hathaway, who is here to co- host the Prize concert on Saturday along with Denzel Washington.

In the early afternoon there was a press conference held by the Chair of the Nobel Prize Committee, with reporters from every corner of the world. Of course the questions centered on China’s efforts to dissuade, some might say bully, other countries into boycotting the Prize ceremony. What a sad commentary on the self-defeating ways in which closed and repressive societies undermine their own best interests. Sadly some 18 countries have succumbed to China’s efforts at intimidation, but it has not seemed to dampen the enthusiasm of the many Chinese attendees. They are inspired, as is the world, by the simple eloquence of Liu Xiaobo when he wrote, “Humans exist not only physically but also spiritually, possessing a moral sense, the core of which is the dignity of being human.” He also wrote, “Freedom of expression is the basis of human rights, the source of humanity and the mother of truth.”

This evening we participated in a reception with the human rights activists who are here as part of the official delegation representing Liu Xiaobo. It is such an honor to be among these remarkable people including many of the heroes of Tiananmen Square. Perhaps the most moving remarks of the evening came from a beautiful young woman whose own father has spent the last 8 years in prison for his activism on behalf of democracy in China. Her father, Wang Bingzhang, gave up a promising medical career to peacefully and publicly work for a free and democratic China. He has paid a heavy price for his courage and patriotism, and his family has paid a price as well. His daughter, named Ti-Anna, in honor of the 1989 demonstrations, broke down in tears as she appealed to the leaders of China to release these prisoners of conscience and“Embrace universal human values and join the mainstream of civilized nations.” (the words of Charter 08- authored by Liu Xiaobo). We were all in tears by the end of her remarks, but not tears of despair- rather tears of determination.

Lantos Foundation Statement on the Release of Aung San Suu Kyi

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, the face of the pro-democracy movement in Burma, was released over the weekend by the military rulers of her country. Suu Kyi has been held at her lakeside home under house arrest for the last 7 ½ years for her pro-democracy activity and has become a global symbol for human rights and democracy. This courageous and graceful leader is a powerful example of what one person can do to stand up against repression. Through her brave example she has inspired countless others who are carrying forward her fight for democracy both in her homeland and elsewhere. The power of her example is evidenced by the thousands of Burmese who gathered outside her home to celebrate her release and by the millions more around the world who are hailing the end of her detention.

On Sunday, Aung San Suu Kyi spoke to her jubilant followers clearly signaling her intention to continue as the leader of the pro-democracy forces in Burma. When she addressed the cheering throngs she said, "The basis of democratic freedom is freedom of speech". She also reminded them to pray for the thousands still imprisoned by the military junta. Making it clear that her commitment to democracy was undiminished by her years of captivity, Suu Kyi said, "You have to stand up for what is right."

There can be no doubt that Aung San Suu Kyi has stood up for what is right at great personal cost both to herself and her family. She has done this because she believed it would make a difference – it has. There are thousands of others like her who, at their own peril, fight human rights battles on the front lines in places like China and Sudan. These brave individuals deserve our recognition and steadfast support. “Whatever the motivation of the military leaders of Burma, we support their decision to release Aung San Suu Kyi. Furthermore we call upon the government to lift all restrictions on her activities and to allow her to travel freely both within Burma and abroad and of course to be able to freely return to her homeland. Perhaps, Aung San Suu Kyi may wish to travel to Oslo, Norway, to honor Liu Xiaobo her fellow Nobel Laureate and pro-democracy activist, who at this very moment continues to languish in prison in China,” said Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, President of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice.

Press Release: Hungary to Establish Lantos Institute Later this Year, Prime Minister Viktor Orban Announces Establishment of the Lantos Institute in 2010

The Lantos Foundation welcomes with great enthusiasm the announcement from Prime Minister Orban that later this year Hungary will establish "The Lantos Institute" which will be based in Budapest and established to promote minority and human rights.

The announcement was officially made in Washington DC on June 24th by Hungary's new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Janos Martonyi, during his meeting with Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. Secretary of State Clinton, who was a close colleague and admirer of the late Congressman Tom Lantos has been deeply supportive of this initiative and expressed her hope to be present in Budapest for the inauguration of the Institute.

Mrs. Annette Lantos, chairman of the Lantos Foundation said, “We have long believed that such an institute will serve to strengthen the Transatlantic Alliance; while cementing Hungary’s reputation as an emerging leader in the human rights field and serve as an important vehicle for strengthening the forces of tolerance throughout Europe.

The Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice wishes to express our deep gratitude for this commitment, and once again congratulate Prime Minister Orban on the progress that Hungary is beginning to make under his dynamic leadership.”

Annette Lantos' statement for The Christians United for Israel Summit in Washington, DC

"I am deeply grateful to be here, and honored to accept this award on Tom’s behalf.

My husband Tom and I first met when I was six. And we spent the next 70 years as sweethearts.

His love affair with Israel was almost as long. And like ours, it was an epic romance.

As a survivor of the Holocaust, Tom’s first visit to Israel touched him in ways that are almost impossible to describe. Against the backdrop of the unconscionable devastation of European Jewry, he saw Jewish families working to build a future amid the rocks and sand. And he saw a people committed to making the dessert bloom, and fulfilling the promise of the Holy Land.

Tom also realized that Israel’s future was uncertain. He had seen enough of the world and enough of war to know that the line between Israel’s survival and Israel’s destruction was paper thin. So he made it part of his life’s mission to stand for Israel – to work for a world in which its people would live without the fear of another Holocaust.

Tom also recognized that people of good will from all faiths would have to join in this cause. During the Second World War, his life had been saved through the intervention of a Swedish Lutheran named Raoul Wallenberg. And he knew that in the fight to secure Israel’s future, Christians would have to show that same commitment a million times over.

Tonight, we can look out on this room and see the awakening in the hearts of thousands of Christians who have accepted that call. Like my husband, you have made a commitment to stand with Israel.

It fills me with emotion – and hope – to know that so many Christians are coming together to support the aspiration of a secure and lasting homeland for the Jewish people. It is a phenomenon that can only be explained though God’s divine intervention.

Pastor and Mrs. Hagee, you have been the pioneers in working to turn this extraordinary moment into a movement. And I thank you for your work to cultivate this great awakening. If Tom were here, he would be as honored as I am to accept this Defender of Israel Award.

Before he died, Tom asked me, our daughters, and our 17 grandchildren to work to carry on his legacy. And with help from thousands of supporters, we have created the Lantos Foundation to continue his work. The Foundation raises its voice when others are silent. It calls the world to remember the evils of the past so they are not visited upon the future. And it seeks to create a world in which all people – and especially the people of Israel – will be able to live their lives free from fear.

As I receive this award with humility and gratitude, I ask you to join us in this work. Israel has made great progress since Tom’s first visit. But the task of defending Israel is never finished. It has been a constant – from the time of the prophets down through the present day. And we must continue that legacy of courage and commitment. It is our responsibility and our sacred inheritance.

On behalf of my husband and the Lantos Foundation, I look forward to continuing with you in this great cause. And may God grant us the peace of Jerusalem."