Christiane Taubira

Overview

Christiane Taubira born Cayenne, French Guiana February 2, 1952. Maroon Guianan; French politician and human rights advocate; French Minister of Justice, 2012-16, resigned over stripping citizenship of terrorist convicts; European Parliament, 1994-99; 20 years French National Assembly, 1993-2012; led passage of 2001 law declaring slave trade and slavery crimes against humanity.

Quotations

“Sometimes staying is resisting; sometimes quitting is resisting. But in loyalty to ourselves, and to others the last word is ethics and the law.” (Europe1.fr, Jan. 27, 2016; photo tntv.pf)

Rosalina Tuyuc

Overview

Rosalina Tuyuc Velásquez born San Juan Comalapa, Chimaltenango, Guatemala October 14, 1956. Guatemalan indigenous Kaqchikel Mayan activist; founded National Association of Guatemalan Widows (CONAVIGUA) 1988; elected to Congress 1995; headed National Reparations Commission 2004; Niwano Peace Prize 2012.

Quotations

"We women are pushing the culture of peace and not the culture of war because it's not just about militarization. What also affects us is this economic vision of development that does not respect life, Mother Earth or culture. Many of our cultural rights are now being violated three times more than during the armed conflict." (UN, May 17, 2016, Michael Astor AP; photo rissho kosei-kai)