Global Justice, Individual Action | Leila Sadat | TEDxWUSTL

Summary

This poignant narrative follows the life of Tom, a Jewish boy born in Czechoslovakia who survived the horrors of the Holocaust. After enduring the atrocities of Auschwitz, he becomes a human rights lawyer and a professor, advocating for justice. The story also highlights Nadia Murad, a Yazidi woman who escaped ISIS captivity and became a voice for her community. Both figures exemplify resilience and the pursuit of justice in a world often marred by indifference. The call for global cooperation to uphold human rights echoes throughout, emphasizing our interconnectedness and shared responsibility to prevent future atrocities.

Takeaways

• 🌍 A boy named Tom, born to Jewish parents in Czechoslovakia in 1934, experienced the horrors of the Holocaust after his family was deported to Auschwitz.
• 🚂 In a memoir, Tom recalls a poignant moment during his imprisonment when an SS guard gave him a cup of coffee, highlighting the capacity for humanity amidst cruelty.
• 🕊️ After surviving the camps, Tom dedicated his life to studying law, motivated by a desire to strengthen international law and human rights to prevent future atrocities.
• ⚖️ The establishment of international law and institutions, such as the Nuremberg Trials and the United Nations, was a direct response to the crimes committed during WWII.
• 👥 Despite the existence of laws against crimes like genocide, Cold War politics hindered the enforcement of these rules, leading to ongoing atrocities worldwide.
• 📅 The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 marked a renewed optimism for international law, leading to the eventual establishment of the permanent International Criminal Court (ICC).
• 🚫 Participation in the ICC is essential for its effectiveness; however, many powerful nations, including the US, Russia, and China, have not joined.
• 🙌 Nadia Murad, a Yazidi survivor of ISIS, turned her trauma into advocacy, pleading for justice for her community on global platforms, including the UN.
• 🏅 Nadia's courage led her to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 for her work in raising awareness about the plight of the Yazidi people and seeking accountability for their suffering.
• 💪 The interconnectedness of human experiences and empathy towards others is crucial; as expressed by an African proverb, even small actions can create significant change.

Q & A

What significant event shaped Tom's early life?

Tom was born in Czechoslovakia to Jewish parents who fled Germany to escape Hitler. His family was later arrested and deported to Auschwitz during World War II.

How did Tom survive the Holocaust?

Tom and his mother survived the Holocaust, while his father died in the camps. They were reunited after the war and later emigrated to the United States.

What motivated Tom to study law?

Tom decided to study law to help develop and strengthen international and human rights law, aiming to prevent atrocities like those his family experienced.

What role did Tom take in the international legal system?

Tom became a distinguished professor and later was elected to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, known for his legal brilliance and compassion for human rights.

Who is Nadia Murad, and what happened to her?

Nadia Murad is a Yazidi woman who was captured by ISIS in 2014, where she faced extreme abuse. After escaping, she became an advocate for her community and for justice.

What actions did Nadia Murad take after her escape?

Nadia Murad traveled worldwide to raise awareness about the plight of the Yazidi people and succeeded in prompting the United Nations Security Council to investigate the atrocities committed by ISIS.

What challenges exist in prosecuting ISIS for genocide?

Challenges include Iraq's non-membership in the International Criminal Court and a lack of cooperation from powerful countries in the Security Council.

How does the speaker connect the stories of Tom and Nadia?

The speaker emphasizes that both Tom and Nadia illustrate the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of individual actions in the pursuit of justice.

What philosophical concept does the speaker reference to discuss justice?

The speaker references John Rawls' 'veil of ignorance' as a framework for considering justice without prior knowledge of one's social status or identity.

What message does the speaker leave with the audience?

The speaker encourages the audience to recognize their common humanity and emphasizes that even small actions, like offering help, can significantly impact the world.