Anita Roddick Launches Appeal For Human Rights Action Centre

Dame Anita Roddick has launched Amnesty International Irish Section’s appeal for a new Human Rights Action Centre at a fundraising event in Dublin. The Human Rights Action Centre will encourage, inspire and educate a new generation of human rights activists in the heart of Dublin.

{mosimage}The centre will house a training and education centre, along with a conference centre with seating for up to 100 people and an action and resource centre where people can react immediately to human rights violations. Amnesty International Irish Section seeks to raise €3 million to make this project a reality.
Amnesty International is currently campaigning against torture in the context of the “war on terror”, demanding protection for the people of Darfur, combating violence against women locally and globally and seeking better mental health supports and services in Ireland. “This project is more than a building, it’s about increasing Amnesty International’s capacity to realise human rights by delivering high impact campaigns that change the lives of real people,” said Colm Ó Cuanacháin, Secretary General, Amnesty International Irish Section.

Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop, and husband Gordon are loyal supporters of Amnesty International’s work. A leading figure in the area of corporate social responsibility, Anita Roddick today encouraged people to support Amnesty International’s appeal. Today I announced that I have given €500,000 in support of this essential Human Rights Action Centre. I know that the work done there will save lives and make the world a better place. I would invite others to join me in support of this wonderful initiative, and ask that they pledge support to help Amnesty raise the €3 million required,” said Anita Roddick.

“For me, Amnesty International, was and has always been The Body Shop’s moral antennae. They gave us the information that helped shape our moral and ethical behaviour. Amnesty is all about people taking action to defend fundamental rights and freedoms. It isn’t just a think-tank with a bunch of intellectuals sitting around wringing their hands, it’s an organisation that enables people to make real change – to free political prisoners, change policies, and pressure governments. That’s money well-spent,” she said.

“I passionately believe that successful business people should contribute to organisations that are helping make the world a better, safer, more civilised place. Not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because only the truly myopic don’t recognise that a more just world is better for both the soul and the bottom line. We need Amnesty now more than ever,” she added.