Human Rights Defenders Changing Our World

From freedom of expression to the rule of law, from women's rights to religious liberty, from environmental defense to eradicating slavery, from access to capitol to the right to due process — these rights are being threatened in countries world wide.

Fortunately, there are men and women who have devoted their lives — and even been imprisoned, tortured and threatened with death — to defend these rights.

Accompanied by their stunning photographs by renowned photographer Eddie Adams, these defenders of human rghts speak with eloquence and determination in Kerry Kennedy Cuomo's "Speak Truth to Power."

Ms. Kennedy Cuomo and Mr. Adams spent two years crisscrossing the globe to make these deeply insightful portraits of courageous individuals, including the internationally celebrated — such as Vaclav Havel, the Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, Elie Weisel, Rigoberta Manchú Tum and Bobby Muller.

But the vast majority are those who are not yet known outside their national borders — such as Juliana Dogbadzi of Ghana, Marina Pisklakova of Russia and Gabo Gombos of Hungary, among more than 30 others.

"Speak Truth to Power" presents an inspiring array of present and future heroes — from over 35 countries and virtually every continent.

These are the human rights defenders who work and sacrifice to dramatically change the course of events in their communities and countries — and our world.

About Kerry Kennedy Cuomo

Kerry Kennedy Cuomo began her work in human rights in 1981. Since then, her life has been devoted to the establishment of social justice.

In 1987, she established the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Human Rights to ensure the protection of rights codified under the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights.

Ms. Kennedy Cuomo serves as Chair of the Amnesty International Leadership Council, serves on boards or advisory committees for more than seven other human rights organizations — and is a member of the Massachusetts and District of Colombia bars.

She has led over 40 human rights delegations to over 30 countries. Her work has included diverse issues such as child labor, disappearances, indigenous land rights, judicial independence, freedom of expression, ethnic violence, the environment — and women's rights.

Ms. Kennedy Cuomo is also the mother of three girls, Cara, Mariah and Michaela.

About Eddie Adams

Eddie Adams is the winner of the 1969 Pulitzer Prize — for his indelible picture of the Saigon police chief shooting a Vietcong prisoner at point-blank range in 1968 — and a recipient of more than 500 international, national and local awards.

He is one of the most decorated and published photographers in the United States today. His photographs have been seen on the covers and front pages of Time, Newsweek, New York Times, Stern, Paris Match, Parade, Vanity Fair, Life and London Sunday Times.

Mr. Adams' portrait list includes many world leaders and heads of state, but his earlier work — his coverage of 13 wars — is what makes him part of photographic history.

In Vietnam, he went on more than 150 operations and in 1977, Mr. Adams' photographs of the boat people escaping Vietnam contributed to the U.S. Congress's decision to admit 200,000 Vietnamese into America.