Historical overview of nonviolence

Thinkers and actors of nonviolence

from 1930 to 1938Étienne Godinot

Translation : Claudia McKenny Engström-15.07.2015

Sergueï Kovalev

Born in 1930. Russian biologist, specialist of the nervous system. Contests Lyssenko’s genetic theories, in spite of the fact he is the official scientist of the regime.

From 1967, engages in the human rights defence. Excluded from his university, works for Amnesty International at the Moscow office. Sentenced in 1974 to 7 years labour camp and 3 years to interior exile.

Elected deputy in 1994 at the fall of communism. Opposes himself to the war in Chechnya and denounces it throughout the world. Is awarded the European Parliament’s ZakharovPrize.

“ Under no circumstances may we fight a people with weapons. Even if that people is wrong, even if it prefers leaders we dislike and chooses wrong political ideals.”

Johann Galtung

Born in 1930. Norwegian. Studies mathematics and sociology. 18 months civil service instead of the military one.

Political expert known as the founder of irenology, science of peace. Author of more than 70 books. Develops a positive definition of peace including the search for social justice and the fight against all forms of political or socio-economic “structural violence”.

Founds in 1959 the International Institute for Peace Research in Oslo. Co-founder of Transcend in 1933 (and then director), a network for the transformation of conflicts using pacific means.

As expert of origins and craftsman of peace, was personally implicated in 25 situations of conflict. Precursor of the idea of an education to peace.

../..

Johann Galtung

“ I firmly believe in pluralism, not only of ideas, but also of social systems, so long as they are nonviolent. The most important is to do nothing that cannot be undone. All actions must be reversible. We have a right to make mistakes, but to make mistakes that cannot be rectified, is leaving violence to our successors.The criteria of reversibility is much more reliable than universality, and it is an argument of nonviolence : we cannot bring back to life what is dead”.

Hildegard Goss-Mayr

Born in 1930, Austrian. At the age of 12, refuses to raise her arm to Hitler in Vienna.

Doctor in philosophy, marries a worker, Jean Goss, in 1958, with whom she travels the world. Animates training sessions, collaborates with Helder Camara, Adolfo Perez Esquivel, Antonio Fragoso, Oscar Romero, the Akkapka movement in the Philippines.

“ I saw the fascination Hitler stimulated. I didn’t feel the right to raise my hand or to join in the cheering. I thought: “ Even if they kill me, I won’t raise my hand ”. That struggle against violence with justice and truth, was for me a founding moment ”.

Photo of H. G.-M. by Mirjam Mahler ©

Desmond Tutu

Born in 1931, South African teacher, Anglican priest in 1961 and then Bishop in 1976. Refusing authorisation to reside in “the white zone”, choses to live in the black city of Soweto.

His title as secretary general of the South African Council (SACC)gives weight to his declarations and participation in demonstrations against the apartheid. Preaches at the burial ceremony of Steve Biko, assassinated. Nobel Prize for Peace in 1984.

After the election of Nelson Mandela, presides the National Commission for Truth and Reconciliation in 1995, in charge of discovering the crimes that took place during the apartheid, by the government as much as the liberation movement.

Adolfo Perez Esquivel

Born in 1931, Argentinian. Architecture professor, of painting and sculpture. Publishes in 1973 the review Paz y Justicia, founder and coordinator in 1975 of the Servicio Paz y Justicia (Serpaj*).

Incarcerated without a trial and tortured during 14 months in 1976, under the general’s dictatorship, then maintained in surveyed freedom during another 14 months.

Prix Nobel de la paix en 1980.

Works for the establishment of international solidarities to fight against oppressions : a boat for Nicaragua, Poland, actions in South Africa, the Middle East and Tibet.

*nonviolent movement that today has permanent secretariats in 11 latino-American countries.

Adolfo Perez Esquivel

In 1995, leads a peace mission between Ecuador and Peru. Member of the Permanent Tribunal of the People (TPP)which denounces the wrongdoings of multinational firms. Signs the Manifesto of Porto Alegre in 2005.

“ We must open our hands, brotherly and without hatred or resentment, to reach reconciliation and peace, but firmly, without hesitation in the defence of truth and justice. Because we cannot sow with a closed hand. To sow, your hands must be open.”

Ronald Dworkin

(1931-2013), American philosopher, specialist in philosophy of law, professor in London and New York. One of the modern theorists of civil disobedience. In the middle of the Vietnam war, takes the defence of conscientious objectors who refuse to go to war.

Recommends rooting law in a political philosophy that primes ethical requirements. According to him, man has moral rights opposable to the State.

“ Man must honour his duty towards God and his conscience and if they are in conflict with his duties towards the State, then he has the right, as last resort, to do what he deems right. If an individual breaches a law, he must submit to the sanction imposed by the State, recognising his duty towards his fellow citizens, but not abrogate his moral and religious obligation ”.

Willy Romelus

Born in 1931, Haitian, Catholic Bishop of Jeremiah from 1977 to 2009. Engages in the nonviolent struggle against the dictatorship until the fall of the Duvalier regime in 1985.

When the President Jean-Bernard Aristide, democratically elected in 1990, is overthrown in 1991 by the army led by Raoul Cedras, engages for democracy by opposing himself to the silent accomplice, the Vatican. Escapes 10 assassination attempts. European Human Rights Prize in 1994.

“ Some say we must fight with weapons because the international community is mocking us. But that is not the solution : the putschistshave the guns and money, not us ! I am naturally nonviolent. Violence only leads to violence. Dialogue and negotiation allow more deep construction (…). A civil war would be catastrophic ”.

Ahangamage Tudor Ariyaratne

Born in 1931, Sri Lankan, Buddhist and disciple of Gandhi, founder of the Sarvodaya Sharamadana Movement (SSM), active in 15000 villages in Sri Lanka out of 38 000.

Implemented development and awakening of the human personality programs, for families, rural and urban communities, auto-governance in villages and national awakening.

Action starts with collective work aiming at satisfying basic needs (food, water, clothing, habitat, energy, etc.) and prolongs itself in the fields of education, health, microcredit, cultural animation, interreligious dialogue.

../..

Ahangamage Tudor Ariyaratne

“Members of the national Council Deshodaya have as objective nonviolence, protection of the environment, mobilising people and judicial institutions to ensure basic human rights and anti-social practices such ad corruption, fraud and violence, guarantee to all citizens just and equal treatment by law. In other words, the Deshodaya programme can give society at all levels, the government it needs.”

Jawdat Saïd

Born in 1931, Syrian, teacher removed from his functions. One of the first Muslim thinkers to introduce nonviolence in the Islamic world.

In his book The doctrine of the first son of Adam, The problem of violence in the Islamic world (1964), the answer Abel gave his elder brother Cain who threatens to kill him “ If you strike me to kill me, I will not strike you to kill you ” (v. 28) explains clearly the attitude the Muslim believer must adopt to face the violent man. So, according to academic mythology reported from the Koran, history did not start with a murder, but an act of nonviolence.

Photo below : Cain and Abel by Le Titien.

../..

Jawdat Saïd

According to him, the oppressed are for a large part responsible for the oppression they suffer under. To affirm this, he refers to the third Surat, 165: “ When misfortune afflicts you (…) do you not say: “ where does this come from ? ” Answer : “ From you ”. “Hence, he comments, the Koran is the only book that reprimands the victim more than the persecutor”.

Sees in the injunction of the Koran “No constraint in religion” (II, 256) a divine order that must direct not only the religious life of individuals but also the social and political life of a people.

../..

Jawdat Saïd

Takes a clear stand in the debate on the question of knowing “ Which verses of the Koran abrogate other ones ? ” Does not follow the orthodox doctrine (the most recent abrogate the eldest), but pleads for the verses that best correspond with the requirements of justice, and for the abrogation of those that don’t.

According to him, intellectuals have the greatest responsibility for societies being eaten by injustice and violence, because they are the ones who tailor a society’s culture.

Lluís Maria Xirinacs

(1932-2007), Catalan priest from 1954 to 1990, economist, politician and writer. Goes on a hunger strike in 1969 to ask for the separation between State and Church, another for 42 days in 1973 for the liberation of 113 Catalan prisoners, another for 21 days for the independence of Catalunya. Imprisoned by the Franco regime in 1972 and the 1974-75. Stands in front of the jail door in Barcelona every day during 12 hours for 21 months asking for the liberation of political prisoners until the amnesty law in 1977.

Elected senator in 1977 during the Spanish democratic transition. In 1984, at the request of Agusti Chalaux I de Subira (1911-2006), creates the Centre d’Estudis Joan Bardina (J. Bardina, 1877-1950) to elaborate a new political, economic and social system.

Doctor in philosophy at 65. Hes was said wrongly to have committedsuicide when he died at the age of 75.

Louis Vitale

Born in 1932, American, son of Sicilian immigrants. In 1958, flies fighting planes, doctor in sociology, Franciscan priest. Founds in 1989 the movement for nonviolent training and action Pace e bene, of Franciscan inspiration. Priest for the poor in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Involved for 40 years in struggles for peace and justice using civil disobedience, arrested more than 200 times, imprisoned many times for more than 6 months.

1979-1988 : actions against nuclear trials in Nevada desert. November 2006 : with Jesuit Steve Kelly, kneels down and prays below Fort Huachuca (Arizona), military centre of American intelligence where soldiers are trained to “reinforced interrogation” torture), sentenced in 2007 for this reason to 5 months detention. 2009 : action in the Creech areal basis against drone attacks in Pakistan. 2009 : March in Gaza.

Photo : Louis Vitale ../..

Louis Vitale et Steve Kelly

2009 and 2010 : actions against the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, political and military training centre at Fort Benning, etc.

“ These days (in prison) are a trip towards a new freedom and a slow transformation of the being and identity : an invitation to enter in a more authentic self, to follow the path of prayer and testimony of nonviolence, and see where it leads us ”.

We must quote, among so many who paid with their lives the defence of dignity in the USA, Roy Bourgeois and Jerry Zawada, Franciscans, John Coleman, William Bischel and John Dear, Jesuits (see slides), Betsy Lamb, Mary Burton Riseley.

Photo : Stephen (Steve) Kelly sj

Bernard Quelquejeu

Born in 1932, French polytechnician, Dominican, doctor in philosophy, director of the review Revue des Sciences philosophiques et théologiques from 1968 to 2001, professor in anthropology at the Faculty of philosophy of the Catholic Institute in Paris from 1970 to 1997. Member of the steering committee of the review Alternatives non-violentes and of a working group G3I on “interconvictionaldialogue” at the Council of Europe.

“ Nonviolence, as fighting logic against injustice and domination, has grown around the world during the XXth Century. Why has it remained so unknown and hardly practiced in France, when it is the only form of struggle that tries to combine ethical aspirations with long term efficiency ? Without a doubt have we not enlightened enough the intimate links uniting nonviolence with other great themes of western tradition : language, work, family, social links, power, human dignity, mutual recognition ”.

Guy et Marizette Tarlier

G.T. : (1932-1992), French, lieutenant, coffee farmer in Africa, then farmer in the Larzac after 1965. Sometimes called “the Prefect of the Larzac”, considered as the leader of 103 farmers during the fight against the extension of the military base between 1970 and 1981.

Writes in 1970 a brochure demonstrating the agricultural vitality on the plateau, takes sheep to the Champs de Mars (Paris) in 1972, sends back his military register in 1973, protects F. Mitterrand against the leftists in 1974.

His wife Marizette spends 15 days in prison after their participation in a document theft at the Genie-Domaine antenna in June 1976. March into Paris in November 1978.

../..

Guy et Marizette Tarlier an the Larzac farmers

“ We have developed a “return to solidarity” with New Caledonia, Polynesia, Palestine and farmers with no land in South America. We have never stopped being interested in the world that surrounds us (…). Not believing in globalisation, I fight against GMO, the WTO, fast-food. It is very important that we stay in tune with the social movement and people from the south ”.

Marizette Tarlier, 08.08.2003

We should also present Jean Marie and Jeannine Burguière, Pierre and Christiane Burguière, Léon Maillé, Robert and Odile Gastal, Auguste Giraud, Christian Roqueirol, and all the others…

Photos : Christiane Pierre Burguière, Léon Maillé, Christian Roqueirol

Michael Randle

Born in 1933, British activist and researcher. Conscientious objector in 1951.

Engaged in nonviolent struggles against the nuclear weapon in the UK and abroad. Secretary of the Cent Committee, founded in 1960 with the objective of nuclear disarmament, member of the War Resisters International council, coordinator of the Alternative Defence Commission (ADC) from 1980 to 1987. Honorary researcher invited to speak at the Peace Studies department of Bradford University.

“ To be morally and psychologically efficient, civil resistance requires a clear distinction between armed and nonviolent fighters. That is why the ADC report did not retain the idea to combine civil defence with guerrilla ”.

The politics of alternative

defence

Michael Randle

Paladin - 1987

Stanley Milgram

(1933-1984). American psycho-sociologist. Between 1960 and 1963, led experiences on submission to authority by demonstrating how an ordinary man can inflict serious and even deadly treatments to an innocent man because he does not dare disobey an order of scientific authority.

“ Ordinary people, deprived of hostility, can, by simply doing what they are told, become atrocious agents of a destructive process.Even when has become impossible for them to ignore the deadly effects of their professional activities, if an authority asks them to act against the fundamental norms of ethics, rare are those who still possess the necessary resources to resist ”.

Bill Moyer

(1933-2002), American engineer and then social worker, activist engaged during 40 years in nonviolent movements fighting for civil rights, peace and the environment.

Develops in the 70’ a strategic model, the Movement Action Plan (MAP), which uses case studies of movements that succeeded to illustrate the eight distinct points in their progression. The MAP helps activists choose the most efficient tactics and strategies, to help them step by step in the progression of their action.

1- Identifying the problem; 2 - Analysing the failure of usual means of actions; 3 - Maturation of the situation; 4 - Starting the action; 5 - Analysing the successes and failures; 6 - Conquering the public opinion’s support; 7- Reaching targets; 8 - Analysing the result and choosing future objectives

Marshall Rosenberg

(1934-2015). American doctor in clinical psychology. Developed since the 1980’ a process of “nonviolent communication” and taught this method across the world. Directs the Centre for Nonviolent Communication.

The method helps people resolve conflicts non-violently. It teaches each one to say :

1) what do I react to in the other’s behaviour2) what do I feel3) are my needs satisfied4) what would I like the other to do.

“Demonstrating empathy and generosity is undoubtedly the most gratifying of human activities”.

Pierre Dufour

Born in 1934. French mechanical engineer from the Ecole de l’Air. After 16 years spent in the army, leaves due to his opposition to nuclear dissuasion. Is a teacher for 5 years in Uagadugu (Burkina Faso), 19 years in industry and research. Member of Mouvement pour une Alternative Non-violente(MAN), one of the three founders of the Balkan Peace Team France (organises civil intervention mission for peace).

Accomplishes between 1992 and 2003 15 missions in the Balkans, and in particular in Kosovo. Surveys the cease fire of October 1999 with the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

In 2012, member of the pilot group of the MAN campaign for French unilateral nuclear disarmament.

Solange Fernex

(1934-2006), French environmental and nonviolent activist. Founder, with Antoine Waechter, of the first Environmental and Ecological political party in Europe, Ecologie et Survie, in 1979. Leader of Europe Ecologie during the first European elections in 1979.

38 day hunger strike in Taverny for global nuclear disarmament in 1983. Co-founder in 2001 of the association Enfants de TchernobylBelarus (Children of Chernobyl, Belarus). European Member of Parliament between 1989 and 1995. President of the French section of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPP).

“ It is going slowly, but it is moving. As my fellow national Albert Schweizer, I am pessimistic in the diagnosis, optimistic in the prognostic. What matters, is action, involvement ”.

Rajmohan Gandhi

Born in 1935, Indian, grandson, Gandhi’s disciple and biograph, teacher in the USA. Develops in India the Ethical rearmament movement *. Creates a Panchgani meeting centre where French and German people working towards reconciliation are able to testify before Indians and Pakistani. Fasts several times against the hatred among Hindus and Muslims.

Imprisoned for having refused Indira Gandhi’s (Nehru’s daughter) governmental authoritative methods. Presents himself for elections against Rajiv Gandhi, Indira’s son, walks across the country, meets the Untouchables.

In 1988, walks the trail of the Salt March with 92 companions to respond with nonviolence to the conflicts in Punjab and Bengal.

* This movement created in Caux, Switzerland, by protestant theologian Franck Buchman, a network of people dedicated to bring peoples together.

Jacques Gaillot

Born in 1935, French, Roman Catholic priest. Confronted to violence during his military service in the Algerian war, starts to be interested in nonviolence.

Bishop of Evreux in 1982, is removed by John Paul II in 1995 because of his political positions, namely with regard to the nuclear weapon and for the defence of minorities, considered by his peers as surpassing what is asked by members of the clergy.

Named bishop of the virtual diocese Partenia, remains engaged in many social, political or ethical struggles, namely via his website.

“ Hope goes through nonviolence. Nonviolence is not non-resistance. Nonviolence is to not resign, it is to fight ”.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14ème Dalaï Lama

Born in 1935, Tibetan, Buddhist spiritual leader of Tibet. Fled the persecutions and massacres perpetrated by the Chinese and has been exiled in Dharamsala, India, since 1959, together with 100 000 compatriots. Continues to fight for the rights of his people and to defend Tibetan culture through writing, travels, conferences across the world, and calls out to the Chinese’s conscience and international opinion.

In 1987, suggested a peace plan in 5 points establishing Tibet as peace zone between India and China. Nobel Prize for Peace in 1989.

“ I firmly believe in the value of nonviolence. Marcos’ dictatorship in the Philippines, Pinochet in Chili, in Moscow, all fell thanks to nonviolence. The escalade of violence helps in no way, it only provokes counter violence ”.

“ The spirit is like a parachute : it functions better when open ! ”.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14ème Dalaï Lama

“Our weapons are courage, justice and truth “.

“ Tibet will be free only if its people becomes strong. But hate is not a strength (…). How can you the people who do not know what they are doing ? How can you hate millions of Chinese indoctrinated by their leaders ? And how can you hate those leaders, who used to be persecuted ? (…). Even executioners are human beings. Their acts must be condemned, while welcoming their suffering and looking at them as brothers and sisters ”.

“ The problems we are confronted with today have been created by man, be they military conflicts, environmental destruction, poverty or hunger. We must cultivate a universal responsibility towards one another and spread it to the world that we have to share ”.

Jean-Baptiste Libouban

Born in 1935, French, member of the Arch (Lanza del Vasto), of which he was the main leader from 1990 to 2005. Participates in many nonviolent actions, against the fabrication of the first French nuclear bombs in Marcoule, against the extension of the military camp on the Larzac, next to the Kanaks in New Caledonia, against both Gulf wars, against the war in Iraq.

Initiator of the GMO “voluntary reapers”, directly in the field.

“ The end of this long march within ourselves is reached when after all these questions appears the certainty of the truth of our actions. When the determination to act is affirmed within us. This force of indignation then transforms into constructive collective and citizen action ”.

Lillian Rosengarten

Born in 1935 in Frankfurt, American. Her parents, German Jews, fled Nazism and emigrated to the USA. Psychotherapist in the Hudson valley, writer, poet, Buddhist.

Activist for Palestinians rights, denounces the land occupation and ethnical cleaning led by the Israeli State which declares itself owner of the land, arguing on the basis of verses from the Old Testament.

In September 2010, is aboard the catamaran Irene (British flag) to protest against the maritime blockade in Gaza; captured in international waters by the Israeli army.

“ Israel is now more and more isolated and cannot survive if it only listens to paranoia and racism ”.

Vaclav Havel

(1936-2011). Czech author and politician. Opponent to the communist regime, main theorist and animator of the nonviolent movement Charter 77, member of VONS, Defence committee of people unlawfully imprisoned. Sentenced several times for crime of opinion, spends 4 years in prison between 1977 and 1989.

In 1989, is placed at the head of the Civic Forum by the crowd, becomes the leader of the Velvet Revolution, leaves his prison and is elected President of the new Czechoslovakian Republic.

Resigns in 1992. Supports the war in Iraq and in 2008, the American anti-missile shield in the Czech Republic.

../..

Vaclav Havel

“ What is decisive is not that one or a thousand people speak. What is important, is whether or not we are right. This strength particular to truth, we can individually testify for before an anonymous power (…). This strength escapes political manipulation and power’s technology ”.

“ The creation of this multicultural civilisation, installed relations based on mutual respect and tolerance towards other cultures, the creation of a new human responsibility that on its own can save our threatened world. They will always find inspiration in Gandhi’s legacy, primary source of their vitality ”.

“ Having hope is not believing things are going to happen for the better, it is believing they will have a meaning ”.

Vaclav Havel

“ It seems to me that we all have a fundamental task to accomplish, a task that everything else would stem from. This task consists in opposing the irrational automatism of an anonymous, impersonal and inhumane ideologies of power, systems, bureaucracies, artificial languages and political slogans, resist at every step and everywhere, with vigilance, prudence and awareness, but also in total engagement; to defend ourselves against the complex and alienating pressures exercised by power, be they in consumerism, publicity, repression, technique or a language void of meaning; (…) to not be ashamed of one’s capability to love, of friendship, solidarity, compassion and tolerance, but on the contrary, to remind of their exile in our private lives these fundamental dimensions of our humanity and to welcome them as starting point of a meaningful human community ”.

Natalya Gorbarnevskaïa

Russian born in 1936, graduated from the University of Leningrad, librarian, bibliography, technical and scientific translator, and also of Polish literature, poet. Edits in April 1968, together with Ludmila Alexeyeva, a samizdat against the dictatorship, the Chronicle of contemporary happenings.

On 25th August 1968, with 7 others, Konstantin Babitsky, Tatiana Baeva, Larissa Bogoraz, Vadim Delauney, Vladimir Dremlyuga, Viktor Fainberg and Pavel Litvinov, demonstrates with her baby on the Red Square in Moscow against the invasion of Czechoslovakia by the Red Army.

The sit-in starts at noon and lasts 4 minutes, enough time for the participants to fly the Czech flag and several other posters. The action resonates loudly.

../..

Natalya Gorbanevskaïa and the demonstrators on the Red Square, 25th August 1968

6 demonstrators are sentenced to imprisonment or exile, ranging from 2,5 to 5 years. Viktor Fainberg is sent to a psychiatric hospital in Leningrad.

N. Gorbarnevskaya escapes judgement thanks to her two young children. She is finally accused a year later. During this time she testifies and continues her struggle with her friends, namely by writing the report of the demonstration, spread in clandestinity in USSR and edited in the West in 1969.

Interned from December 1969 to February 1972 in a psychiatric prison in Kazan. Lives in Paris from 1976, acquires Polish nationality in 2005.

Jean-Marie Tjibaou et Yeiwéné Yeiwéné

(1936-1989), Neo-Caledonian Kanak politician, founder in September 1984 of the independence party FNLKS (Front National de LibérationKanak et Socialiste). Chooses nonviolence and calls for the support of farmers and trainers in the Larzac. Calls for peace in December 1984, when 2 of his brothers and 8 other members of his tribe are killed by the Caldoches*, and in 1988 after the Ouvéa massacre.

Signs in June 1988, with Jacques Lafleur and the Prime Minister Michel Rocard, the Matignon agreements, which schedule a referendum on autodetermination after 10 years and brings back peace after 4 years of almost civil war.

Assassinated in May 1989, with his right hand Yéiwéné Yéiwéné (YéYé, born 1945), by an pro-independence Kanak, partisan of an armed struggle.

* Neo-Caledonians of European origin

Gabriel Maire

(1936-1989). French, ordained priest in 1963, exercises his ministry in the Jura, goes on a mission to Brazil in 1980, in a parish of the Vitoria suburbs. Fights social inequalities, corruption, torture and impunity, claims a right to work and education. Pushes the land deprived to occupy a field sought after by a real estate merchant.

Defies the mafia of crime on a local television on 21st December 1989. The next day, is killed by a bullet straight to his heart in his car.

“ What is important is not the number of people, it is the awareness of the people that they can change their living environment (…). The Bible is truly the dynamite if you want to become faithful. A church that doesn’t know persecution is no longer prophetical (…). I prefer death that leads to life rather than a life that leads to death.”

Jean Marichez

Frenchman born in 1936, engineer at the ICAM, retired from an electrical company, member of the Board of the School of Peacein Grenoble. Author of studies, articles and conferences on civil strategy of struggle against oppression, translator of 5 of Gene Sharp’s books. Also considers religious beliefs as causes of war.

Following the line given by Gene Sharp in The civilised war, J. Marichez and Xavier Olagne, in The war for civil action, dismantle the barriers that make communication difficult on the subject and show us under what conditions it is possible. They make concrete suggestions to our French and European defence. The book can also be read by anyone interested in the concrete evolution of defence processes and the development of citizenship.

Jean Van Lierde

(1937-2006). Belgian activist and journalist of social and Christian inspiration. Former leader of the Working Christian Youth (JOC). Conscientious objector in 1949 : 18 months imprisonment, then 6 months in the mines. After serving 4 times in jail, obtains the status of conscientious objector in Belgium in 1964. Friend of Mehdi Ben Barka and Patrice Lumumba, supports the anticolonial struggles in Maghreb and Zaire.

President of the Belgian branch of the International Fellowship for Reconciliation (MIR-IFOR), secretary general of the CRISP and CEDAF research centres, author of books and articles on nonviolent defence actions.

“ Nonviolence can cure societies. This implies that this way of handling conflicts be on the teaching and research curricula ”.

Theodor Ebert

Born in 1937, German, professor at the Otto Surh Institut in Free University of Berlin. Founded the review GewalfreieAktion and the Federation for civil defence. Author of several books on civil resistance, “social nonviolent resistance”, civil disobedience. Expert for the Grünen (the German Green party) on matters of alternative defence.

“ The warning effect of a civil defence rests on the credibility of non-cooperation at all levels of the democratic process. It is important to ensure that total non-cooperation will last for as long as needed to allow foreign pressures on the invader to develop ”.

Naïm Ateek

Born in 1937, Palestinian, Pastor of the Anglican Church, founder of the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in Jerusalem (Sabeel : path, way, but also stream).

Articulates theology of liberation with the situation in occupied Palestine, denounces the occupation, violence and discrimination, violation of human rights : the separation wall, illegal colonies, checkpoints, expropriation and demolishing of housing, refugee camps, degradation of the environment. Fights for a justice aimed at reconciliation.

Sabeel organises trainings for youth, women, trips to holy places, a prayer wave every Thursday, edits the review Cornerstone, has relays everywhere in the world (Europe, Scandinavia, USA, Canada, Australia).

Olivier Maurel

Frenchman born in 1937, PhD in Literature, former professor at Toulon University. Coordinates in 1975 the publishing of the opuscule Army or nonviolent civil defence.

Author of several books on nonviolence, the sales of weapons, child abuse and in particular educational violence, like smacking. Founded the Observatory on Ordinary Educational Violence (OVEO) which denounces and describes all forms of violence contained in education and still commonly used throughout the world, such as in rimes.

“ Al populations having committed genocides received an education based on discipline, punishment, blind obedience. On the other hand, individuals having refused to collaborate to the deployment of extreme evil, having preserved their compassion (The Righteous among the Nation for instance) lived, small, in kindness and respect for their surroundings ”.

Christian de Chergé

(1937-1996). French religious man. During the war in Algeria, is protected from death by an Algerian farmer father to 10 children, Mohammed, assassinated the next day.

Cistercian Trappist monk, arrives in 1971 to the Notre Dame de l’Atlas monastery in Tibhirine, where he holds the priory from 1984. Speaks Arabic, has great knowledge and esteem for Islam and Arab culture.

In 1979, founds with Claude Rault , White Father having become bishop of the Sahar, the Ribat-el-Salam group (“the link of peace”), which exchanges on Muslim tradition and spirituality. Has an intense dialogue with Jacques and Simone de Bollardière, who visited Tibhirine in 1982.

In the night of the 26 to 27 March 1996, twenty men, armed, kidnapped seven monks of the monastery. ../..

Photo below : Claude Rault, Bishop of Laghouat

Christian de Chergé and the Tibhirine monks

A message of the Armed Islamic Groupment (GIA)announces that their throats had been slit on 21 May 1996. Their heads are found on 30 May.

“ In the passion of Jesus, we must recognise the testimony, the “martyr” of nonviolence ”.

“ If I had to one day – maybe today – be a victim of terrorism, which seems to me is now directed towards all foreigners living in Algeria, I would like my community, my Church, my family, to remember that my life was given to God and this country (…). And you too, last minute friend, who won’t have known what I was doing here, yes, for you too I want it, this Thank you, and this Good Bye envisaged for you. And may we meet again, happy fellows, in paradise, if God allows it, Father to us both ”.

Michael Nagler

Born in 1937, American researcher and peace activist in the USA, former literature professor, former President of Peace and Conflict Studies Program at Berkeley University, California. President of the Blue Mountain Centre of Meditation.

Member of the consultative council of the Faculty for Israeli-Palestine Peace USA, network of Palestinian, Israeli and international professors and students working for the end of the occupation of Palestinian territory by Israel and for peace in justice.

Founder and President of the Metta Centre for Nonviolence, whose mission is to “promote the nonviolent tradition Gandhi gave the word, through innovative projects, education and the implementation of his principle”.

Antonino Drago

Italian born in 1938, researcher and nonviolent activist in the poor areas of Naples. Teaches history of physics at the Federico II University of Naples, then professor in popular nonviolent strategies of defence in Pisa and in history and techniques of nonviolence in Florence. First President (2004-2005) of the du Comitato di consulenza per la difesa civile non armata e nonviolenta (Consultative committee for civil nonviolent and unarmed defence), establishes a National Bureau of Civil Servants. Founder of the Italian Institute for Peace Research.

“ In 1985, the Constitutional Court considered that the Nation’s defence could be accomplished within the army or non-violently (…). In 1992 was opened a regional school in Campania and a specific national training on nonviolent civil defence in Florence. The last training was financed by the tax objectors’ campaign, but also by the Toscana region and other institutions ”.

Pierre Claverie

(1938-1996), Frenchman born in Algeria, Dominican priest, bishop of Oran after 1981. Speaks Arabic and expert in Islam. During the civil war – from 1982 – considers himself Algerian and refuses to abandon his people with whom his destiny is forever tied.

In January 1992, has a long exchange with Jean-Marie Muller and wants to invite him to Algeria to talk about nonviolence.

On 1st August 1996, is assassinated in a bombing, together with his chauffeur Mohamed. Jean Marie Muller will learn later that Pierre Claverie had in deed planned his visit.

“ Coexistence implies true, objective and thorough knowledge. But it is also a battle of strength that must constantly be negotiated in order to not risk falling under oppression, into exclusion and violence (…). We do not hold the truth, and I need other people’s truth ”.

■