Edgard Raúl Leoni Moreno: Prisoner of Conscience

A prisoner of conscience is a person who has been detained for defending human rights while never participating in acts of violence.

When it comes to International Public Law, you will find International Humanitarian Law which looks out for the Human Rights of people all over the world. During the 60s, Amnesty International created the term Prisoner of Conscience to refer to those people who have been jailed, accused by the State due to their political leanings, sexual orientation, religion, skin color, language or race.

As long as the detained hasn’t participated or supported acts of violence related to the defense of Human Rights, violated them or the local government’s laws either by their words spoken at conferences, speeches, interviews to the media, protests, comments on the internet or rallies.

There is a currently unknown amount of Prisoners of Conscience jailed all over the world, in democratic countries and other forms of government; many cases are known to the public, but a great number remain undisclosed. Most Prisoners of Conscience are human rights activists, government opponents, lawyers, union workers and even artists from any number of fields.

They are regular men and women, aware of the abuse that is often inflicted against the dignity of all types of people; some Prisoners of Conscience are openly opposed to their country’s system of government, while others are imprisoned under accusations made under a legal framework.

Reasons why someone can be considered a Prisoner of Conscience:

• They promote or participate in peaceful rallies and protests asking for government support for fair causes. 
• Are part of a movement that hopes to be legally recognized in order to peacefully fight against irregularities and abuse taking place in their country.
• They organize, observe or participate in religious movements or practices that are not legally accepted in their country of residence.
• They promote, participate and call for strike and protests in support of better safety conditions for workers.
• They criticize the current government body.
• They write articles describing cases where Human Rights were violated or otherwise abused by the government.
• Don’t wish to serve in the military due to their own morals.
• They refuse to speak their country’s official language.
• Live in a particular place.
• Are related to someone who openly opposes the government.