DANIELLE MITTERRAND: TIRELESS CHAMPION OF FREEDOM

By Federico Mayor Zaragoza Reprint | | Print |

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BARCELONA, Nov 25 2011 (IPS) - Danielle Mitterrand, one of the world’s most prominent and extraordinary women, has died after a fearless lifelong fight for the poor and marginalised.

Exemplary in her ability to fulfil her commitment to the emancipation of all human beings, she was shaped by the liberal family she was born in to. Her life was one of commitment and resistance, first in Cluny, where she spent her youth, and then in whatever part of the world her presence was necessary

She was always in the line of fire when it came to defending people’s freedoms, even when her own life was at risk, as it was in Suleymaniye, Turkey, on July 6, 1992, when seven people she was working with were killed and mere chance saved her from sharing that fate. Shortly before the car bomb went off, she had changed vehicle for logistical reasons. She could never forget the tragedy in which, she said, “I should have died with my comrades.”

She was a serene woman with expressive eyes full of affection. She kept within her memories that would never be brought to light. Her 14 years as first lady of France as wife of President Francois Mitterand were marked by impressive dignity.

She dedicated her life to the France Freedoms Foundation, which celebrated its 25th year last October. Her work in Education for Peace was in later years focused on insuring that all human beings on the planet have access to water.

For over fifteen years she spoke of the need for a radical change to counter “the economic and financial dictatorship”.

She did everything in her power not only to help but also to bring about a future more in keeping with the essential qualities of all human beings. “I hope that all people understand and are a part of the urgent and necessary transformation of human society into a new civilisation.”

Obstinate and rebellious, she ceaselessly defended her principles. She never failed to call on others, whether one-on-one or in a group, to pay attention and to help those excluded from the society of the materially wealthy, that 20 percent of the earth’s inhabitants who frequently do not know how to (or don’t want to) consider the more then 5 billion people, all of equal dignity, who live in increasingly precarious situation outside of the restricted comfortable enclave of the global village.

Danielle Mitterand was a beacon of her time, lighting the dark skies of a world that is not as we would like it to be. We will continue her struggle for all humanity and its many peoples. Her example gives us strength and courage. We will never forget her. (END/COPYRIGHT IPS)

(*) Federico Mayor Zaragoza is president of the Culture of Peace Foundation and ex-director general of UNESCO.