Biography Adolfo Esquivel

 

" I live in the hope which I surely share with many others. I am confident that one day our daily effort will have its reward. "

- Adolfo Esquivel

Adolfo Pérez Esquivel was born November 26, 1931 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

He studied as an architect and sculptor. After his education he was appointed to be a professor of Architecture at Universidad Nacional de La Plata. For 25 years he worked as a teacher in both university level and also primary education.

As a committed Christian he increasingly began working as for non violent Christian groups within Latin America. This became increasingly important to him and in 1974 he relinquished his teaching to take on a full time job as a general coordinator for a network of Latin American pacifist groups. These groups were committed to both improving the economic conditions of the poor and also promoting human rights.  He founded an organisation Human rights became an increasingly difficult issue with the repression that followed Jorge Videla’s military coup of 1976. He founded the El Servicio de Paz y Justicia ("Service, Peace and Justice Foundation") This body sought to offer support for victims of the silent “dirty war” with people mysteriously going missing. Amongst other activities they sought to raise international awareness of human rights abuses. He has been particular critical of the Argentinian police for using children in paramilitary squads.

For his activities in promoting human rights Perez Esquivel suffered repeated detention and allegedly was tortured by the Argentinian police. He was also detained in Brazilian jails. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1980. The Nobel citation read:

"...was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1980 for his leadership for human rights and true democracy for the people of Latin America. " He was also awarded the Pope John XXIII Peace Memorial prize.

Perez Esquivel has published a book “Walking Together with the People", 1995) This is about his experiences of promoting non violence activity to promote human rights. Throughout his many experiences and harsh treatment by authorities he has consistently maintained his belief in non-violence as the only way to promote social justice. His work is also strongly informed from his Christian beliefs and is in regular conctact with senior clergy in Latin America. He is currently representing several organisations dedicated to human rights such as, the International League for Human Rights and Liberation of Peoples, based in Milan, Italy, and a member of the Permanent Popular Tribunal.

 

Esquivel Links

"When you decided to invade Iraq, in spite of the opposition of the people of the world, you did not listen to their cries, "NO TO WAR, YES TO PEACE;" you closed your ears and your heart when the United Nations, churches, humanitarian and human rights organizations demanded that the rule of law and the consideration of the people had to prevail. You were not interested in hearing it."