PEOPLE WE ALL LOVE IN HUMAN RIGHTS

Aristides Sousa Mendes | Ben Ferencz | Desmond Doss | Jimmy Carter | Madre Teresa de Calcutá | Martin Luther King Jr. | Simone de Beauvoir | Steve Biko | Abraham Lincoln | Mahatma Gandhi | Dalai Lama | Nelson Mandela

Aristides Sousa Mendes | 1885 - 1954
Cabanas de Viriato, Portugal

Aristides de Sousa Mendes was a Portuguese diplomat who became known for his courage and humanity during the Second World War. Serving as Portugal's consul in Bordeaux, France, Sousa Mendes risked his career and his own safety by defying the orders of the Portuguese government and issuing thousands of visas to Jews and other refugees fleeing Nazism.

Despite express orders from the Salazar regime to deny visas to refugees, Sousa Mendes followed his conscience and decided to help those facing persecution and death in Nazi-occupied Europe, providing an escape route for thousands of people in danger.

However, his decision to defy the orders of the Portuguese government resulted in his own personal and professional ruin. He was dismissed from the diplomatic service and fell into disgrace, facing financial difficulties for the rest of his life.

Sousa Mendes is remembered as a humanitarian hero who risked everything, saving around 30,000 lives, including entire families.

Ben Ferencz

Ben Ferencz | 1920 - 
Șomcuta Mare, Hungary

Benjamin Ferencz is a lawyer and human rights defender who became known for his role in the Nuremberg Trials after World War II. Born in Hungary, Ferencz emigrated to the United States with his family when he was a child and later studied law at Harvard.

After the war, Ferencz was appointed as chief prosecutor at the Subsequent Nuremberg Trials, where he led efforts to prosecute members of the SS Einsatzgruppen, a Nazi paramilitary group responsible for the mass execution of civilians in occupied Europe.

The trial was historic, as it was the first case in which individuals were tried for crimes against humanity. Ferencz argued passionately for accountability for perpetrators and justice for victims, setting a crucial precedent in the field of international law.

After the Nuremberg Trials, he fervently advocated the creation of a permanent international court to try war crimes and crimes against humanity.

At 102 years old, Ben Ferencz heads the "Benjamin B. Ferencz International Justice Initiative", an organization dedicated to promoting peace, justice and human rights around the world. This reason made us give ourselves a special place as someone to whom we should all admire and respect.

Desmond Doss People we all love

Desmond Doss | 1919-2006
Lynchburg, Virginia, USA

Soon

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Jimmy Carter | 1924-2024
Plains, Georgia, USA

Jimmy Carter, born October 1, 1924 in Plains, Georgia, was the 39th president of the United States, serving from 1977 to 1981. After his presidential term, Carter devoted himself intensely to humanitarian work and human rights, establishing a legacy notable beyond politics.

One of the milestones of his post-presidency work was the founding of the Carter Center in 1982. This nonprofit organization focuses on promoting peace, defending human rights, and combating neglected tropical diseases. The Carter Center has been active on several fronts, including mediating international conflicts, observing elections, and advancing global health.

Additionally, Carter has been involved in efforts to build affordable housing for low-income families through the organization Habitat for Humanity. He and his wife, Rosalynn, are often seen working on construction projects, demonstrating their commitment to community service and social justice.

Carter is also a prolific author, writing books about his life, international politics, and ethics. He has received numerous awards and recognitions for his humanitarian work and promoting peace.

Jimmy Carter is remembered not only as a president, but primarily as a tireless defender of human rights and an example of leadership committed to global justice and equality.

He passed away at December 29, 2024, at the beautifull age of 100 years.

Madre Teresa de Calcutá | 1910 - 1997
Albania

She was a Catholic nun of Albanian ethnicity who became a naturalized Indian, founder of the Missionaries of Charity congregation, who dedicated her life to serving the poorest of the poor. In 2015, the congregation she founded had more than 5,000 members in 139 countries.

She became known during her lifetime by the nickname “Santa das Sarjetas”. Mother Teresa had her work recognized, receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. She is considered by some to be the missionary of the 20th century. In 2016, she was elevated to Saint by Pope Francis, in the Vatican.

Although some consider her image as a saint to be a myth and to be surrounded by countless controversies, the example she leaves us makes Mother Teresa an unequivocally extraordinary person.

Martin Luther King Jr. | 1929-1968
Atlanta, USA

Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Protestant pastor and political activist. He became one of the most important leaders of the black civil rights movement in the United States and around the world. He responded to the violence of racist groups like the Klu Klux Klan with a campaign of non-violence and love for others.

He was cowardly murdered in 1968, after inspiring the world in one of the greatest human rights marches with his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1968, and posthumously the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1977) and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2004. He is also honored with hundreds of streets named after him and a US national holiday.

Simone de Beauvoir

Simone de Beauvoir | 1908 - 1986
Paris, France

Simone de Beauvoir, born January 9, 1908 in Paris, France, was a writer, philosopher and feminist who left a lasting impact on modern thought and gender equality movements. The daughter of a bourgeois family, Beauvoir excelled academically and studied philosophy at the Sorbonne, where she met Jean-Paul Sartre, with whom she formed a lasting intellectual and romantic partnership.

Beauvoir is best known for her book "The Second Sex" (1949), an in-depth analysis of the oppression of women throughout history. In the book, she coined the famous phrase "You are not born a woman, you become a woman", arguing that the differences between men and women are socially constructed and not biologically determined. This work became a landmark of feminism and inspired generations of women to fight for their rights.

In addition to her feminist work, Beauvoir wrote novels, essays, and memoirs that explored themes of existentialism, freedom, and individual responsibility. His writing challenged social norms and encouraged critical reflection on power structures.

Simone de Beauvoir died on April 14, 1986, in Paris. Her legacy as one of the leading voices of feminism and existentialism continues to influence contemporary thought and the fight for gender equality around the world, despite often being misused for purposes that often undermine the rights she herself championed.

Steve Biko | 1946 - 1977
Tarkastad, South Africa

Steve Biko, born on 18 December 1946 in King William's Town, South Africa, was a prominent anti-apartheid activist and a leading supporter of the Black Consciousness movement. Son of a humble family, Biko excelled academically and entered the University of Natal to study medicine. However, it was his leadership in political activism that defined him.

Biko founded the South African Students' Organization (SASO) in 1968, promoting the idea that black people should psychologically free themselves from oppression and be proud of their identity and culture. He believed that the emancipation of black people began with self-worth and the rejection of definitions imposed by white people.

His work and ideas became a significant threat to the apartheid regime, resulting in his repeated detention and repression by the South African government. In 1973, Biko was banned from public speaking, writing or being quoted, but he continued to influence through his writings and clandestine communication.

On August 18, 1977, Biko was arrested again and brutally beaten by South African police. He died on September 12, 1977, while in custody, becoming a martyr in the fight against apartheid. His death sparked international outrage and increased pressure on the South African regime.

Steve Biko is remembered as a symbol of resilience and courage, whose vision and sacrifice inspired many in the fight for freedom and equality in South Africa. His legacy continues to be a source of inspiration for human rights movements around the world.

Abraham Lincoln | 1809 - 1865
Sinking Spring Farm, Kentucky, USA

Abraham Lincoln, born on February 12, 1809 in a log cabin in Hodgenville, Kentucky, was the 16th president of the United States and is widely recognized for his leadership during the American Civil War and his fight to abolish slavery. The son of a humble family, Lincoln became a self-taught lawyer and politician.

As president, Lincoln faced the greatest crisis in United States history: the Civil War (1861-1865). He held the Union together through firm and decisive leadership. On January 1, 1863, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared all slaves in the Confederate states free. This act not only changed the nature of war, but also redefined the fight for human rights in America.

Lincoln was also the author of the famous Gettysburg Address, which reaffirmed the principles of equality and democracy, and consolidated his commitment to union and freedom. His ability to communicate complex ideas in a simple and powerful way continues to inspire leaders and citizens.

On April 14, 1865, just days after the end of the Civil War, Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theater. His death came as a profound shock to the nation, but his legacy of freedom, equality and unity remains a fundamental part of American identity.

Lincoln is remembered as one of the United States' greatest presidents, whose commitment to justice and human dignity transformed the nation and inspired generations.

Mahatma Gandhi | 1869 - 1948
Porbandar, India

Mahatma Gandhi (from the Sanskrit "Mahatma", "The Great Soul") was the creator and founder of the modern Indian State and the greatest defender of Satyagraha (principle of non-aggression, non-violent form of protest) as a means of revolution.

This is how Indian independence was achieved against the violence and yoke of the powerful British Empire. The principle of satyagraha, often translated as "the way of truth," has inspired generations of democratic and anti-racist activists, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.

Gandhi always affirmed the simplicity of his values: truth (Satya) and non-violence (Ahimsa). Incredibly, Gandhi never received the Nobel Peace Prize, despite being nominated five times between 1937 and 1948.

Dalai Lama - 1935
Taktser - Tibete

The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, was born on July 6, 1935 in the small village of Taktser, Tibet. From a humble family of farmers and shepherds, Tenzin Gyatso was recognized at the age of two as the reincarnation of his predecessor, the 13th Dalai Lama. Raised in a monastic environment, he received a traditional Tibetan education and was formally enthroned as spiritual and temporal leader of Tibet at age 15.

In addition to his religious role, the Dalai Lama is widely recognized for his contribution to humanist thought and the promotion of world peace. In 1959, following the Chinese occupation of Tibet, he went into exile in India, where he established the Tibetan government in exile. Since then, he has tirelessly advocated for Tibetan autonomy and the preservation of Tibetan culture.

Author of numerous books, the Dalai Lama stands out for his philosophy based on compassion, altruism and the practice of non-violence. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his peaceful efforts to liberate Tibet and his opposition to violence, despite great adversity. He defends the importance of interreligious dialogue and secular ethics as foundations for a more just and harmonious world.

His wisdom and simplicity inspired millions of people around the world, making him an iconic figure in the fight for human rights and global peace.

Nelson Mandela | 1918 - 2013
Mvezo, Àfrica do Sul

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a lawyer, rebel leader and president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, considered as the most important leader of Black Africa and father of the modern South African nation, where he is usually referred to as Madiba (his clan name). or "Tata" ("Father").

Mandela spent 27 years in prison, having been released in 1990, when the civil war in his country flared up. When everyone feared that his rise to power could lead to a vengeful purge against those who imprisoned him and who created Apartaid,

Mandela responded with a loving, multi-racial and peace-making message, ending the civil war, uniting the entire country and inspiring the world with his wisdom.

He was rightly awarded the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize in 1993,

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