May 28.. A Day for Rights and Liberation
May 28 holds pivotal milestones that shaped the contours of the modern world, whether in defending human rights or national liberation movements. On this day, we highlight two prominent events: one reshaped international treatment of individual cases, while the other ended a bitter conflict that lasted for decades.
Founding of Amnesty International (1961)
On this day in 1961, Amnesty International was founded in London. The story began with an article written by British lawyer “Peter Benenson” titled “The Forgotten Prisoners,” in which he called for a global campaign to free people imprisoned for their political opinions or religious beliefs, provided they had not used violence. This simple idea grew into a massive global movement that today defends human rights in all corners of the Earth, monitors violations, and pressures governments to protect people’s fundamental rights.
End of the Ethiopian Civil War and Independence of Eritrea (1991)
On the political front, May 28, 1991, marked a historic transformation in the Horn of Africa; the Ethiopian Civil War, which had lasted for many years, officially ended. This date put an end to the bloody conflict between the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front and the Ethiopian government, with an agreement to move forward toward Eritrea’s independence. This moment was the culmination of a bitter popular struggle, paving the way for Eritrea’s declaration of independence as a sovereign state in 1993 and its subsequent admission to the United Nations.
Quick Facts
- Amnesty International: The organization won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977 in recognition of its efforts to defend human dignity.
- Independence of Eritrea: After the agreement in May 1991, a popular referendum was held in 1993 in which Eritreans overwhelmingly endorsed independence.
- Republic Day: May 28 also coincides with Republic Day in both Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Sources
– Amnesty International Archive (Amnesty.org)
– Historical Encyclopedia of Political Events (History.com)
