AUTHOR'S BIO

Desmond Tutu

Desmond Tutu is Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

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Sudan between Peril and Hope

Lakhdar Brahimi and Desmond Tutu Series: The World in Words

2010-01-13

With the right international support, Sudan could move decisively towards peace and democracy in the coming months. But, if the international community fails the challenge, conflicts and tensions that have already cost hundreds of thousands of lives will continue and worsen.... read

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Sacred Promises

Desmond Tutu Series: Into Africa

2009-07-04

It is an act of grace and great leadership when we keep our promises to the poor, which is why those G-8 countries that are leading the charge for the poorest, especially in Africa, deserve much credit. But we must also be prepared to censure countries like Italy and France for not meeting the pledges they made at the G-8 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, four years ago. ... read

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Cyprus’s Last Best Chance

Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter and Lakhdar Brahimi Series: Europe at Home and Abroad

2009-05-04

It is tempting to see the results of the recent parliamentary elections in northern Cyprus as a blow for the peace process. But Cyprus can still seize their best – and quite possibly their last – chance in 30 years to achieve a federal settlement.... read

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Humanity’s Stake in Gaza

Vaclav Havel, Prince El Hassan bin Talal, Hans Küng, Desmond Tutu, Karel Schwarzenberg and Yohei Sasakawa Series: The World in Words

2008-12-31

In Gaza, mankind’s basic morality is at stake. Of course, Israel’s need for security must be understood by all sides, but confidence-building measures are needed from all sides as well, in order to send a clear message that dialogue, not violence, is the way forward.... read

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Human Rights Require Stronger Institutions

Mary Robinson and Desmond Tutu Series: The World in Words

2008-12-04

To this day, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights remains the single most important reference point for discussion of ethical values across national, ideological, and cultural divides. Yet the Declaration’s enlightened vision of individual freedom, social protection, economic opportunity and duty to community is still unfulfilled. ... read

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Playing for Human Rights

Vaclav Havel, Desmond Tutu, Wei Jingsheng and André Glucksmann Series: Human Rights

2008-08-04

PRAGUE -- The selection of Beijing to organize and host the 2008 Olympic Games was accompanied by the Chinese government’s pledges of visible progress on respect for human rights. We understood these as a condition whose fulfillment the International Olympic Committee would demand. That is how this year’s Olympics could contribute to a greater openness and respect for international standards of human rights and liberties in the host country. ... read

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Protecting Zimbabwe

Desmond Tutu and Aryeh Neier Series: Into Africa

2008-04-30

Earlier this year, the African Union, through the good work of former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, averted a calamity in Kenya after a disputed election led to widespread violence. The danger in Zimbabwe appears to be comparable, and similar intervention is required.... read

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The Lessons of South Africa

Desmond Tutu Series: Into Africa

2007-01-03

South Africa is now beginning to contemplate the retirement of Thabo Mbeki, its second president since the end of the apartheid era. So this is a particularly opportune moment to look back and assess our achievements, note our failures, and perhaps see what elements in our transition to democracy may be applied elsewhere.... read

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Justice Is Reconciliation

Desmond Tutu Series: Into Africa

2006-01-16

In South Africa, indeed around the world, we are raised on a strict diet of justice as retribution. With violent crimes on a shocking upsurge, with the hideous crimes of child rape and abuse on the increase, there are nowadays frequent calls – backed by wide public support – to restore capital punishment. Mercifully, South Africa’s Constitutional Court has ruled that the death penalty – which South Africans eliminated at the same time we were liberated from apartheid – is unconstitutional. ... read

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