After the Nobel Prize (1980–present) Mairead Maguire

1 after nobel prize (1980–present)

1.1 united states

1.1.1 iraq , afghanistan
1.1.2 criticism of president barack obama
1.1.3 confrontations law


1.2 israel

1.2.1 mordechai vanunu advocacy
1.2.2 references holocaust
1.2.3 palestinian activism


1.3 comparison of palestinians , israelis
1.4 russell tribunal

after nobel prize (1980–present)

though betty williams resigned peace people in 1980, maguire has continued involvement in organization day , has served group s honorary president. has since taken on more global agenda, addressing array of social , political issues around world.

jackie , mairead maguire

in january 1980, after prolonged battle depression on loss of children in 1976 finaghy road incident, mairead maguire s sister anne committed suicide. year , half later, in september 1981, mairead married jackie maguire, late sister s widower. has 3 stepchildren , 2 children of own, john francis (b. 1982) , luke (b. 1984).

in 1981 maguire co-founded committee on administration of justice, nonsectarian organisation dedicated defending human rights.

she member of pro-life group consistent life ethic, against abortion, capital punishment , euthanasia.

maguire has been involved in number of campaigns on behalf of political prisoners around world. in 1993 , 6 other nobel peace prize laureates tried unsuccessfully enter myanmar thailand protest protracted detention of opposition leader aung san suu kyi. first signatory on 2008 petition calling on turkey end torture of kurdish leader abdullah Öcalan. in october 2010, signed petition calling on china release nobel peace prize laureate liu xiaobo house arrest.

maguire selected in 2003 serve on honorary board of international coalition decade, coalition of national , international groups, presided on christian renoux, aim promote united nations 1998 vision of first decade of twenty-first century international decade promotion of culture of peace , non-violence children of world.

in 2006, maguire 1 of founders of nobel women s initiative along fellow peace prize laureates betty williams, shirin ebadi, wangari maathai, jody williams, , rigoberta menchú tum. initiative describes 6 women representing north , south america, europe, middle east, , africa decided bring extraordinary experiences in united effort peace justice , equality , strengthen work being done in support of women s rights around world.

maguire supported occupy movement , has described wikileaks founder julian assange courageous. has praised chelsea manning. think they’ve been tremendously courageous in telling truth, has said, adding american government , nato have destroyed iraq , afghanistan. next targets syria , iran.

together desmond tutu , adolfo pérez esquivel, maguire published letter in support of chelsea manning, saying: words attributed manning reveal went through profound moral struggle between time enlisted , when became whistleblower. through experience in iraq, became disturbed top-level policy undervalued human life , caused suffering of innocent civilians , soldiers. other courageous whistleblowers, driven foremost desire reveal truth.

maguire has earned degree irish school of ecumenics, @ trinity college dublin. works various interchurch , interfaith organizations , councilor international peace council. patron of methodist theological college, , of northern ireland council integrated education.

united states

mairead maguire outspoken critic of u.s. , british policy in middle east, particularly in iraq , afghanistan. has been critical of u.s. president barack obama’s leadership. activism in u.s. has brought confrontations law.

after accepting invitation 2012 nobel summit in chicago, changed mind because event hosted u.s. state department, , me nobel peace laureates should not hosted state department continuing war, removing basic civil liberties , human rights , international law , talking peace young people. that’s double standard

maguire said in 2013 interview ever since 40-day fast , arrest outside white house in 2003 (see below), whenever come america, i’m questioned background is.

in 2015, maguire spoke democracy in sit-down interview titled, no violence, yes dialogue, included 2 other nobel peach prize laureates, jody williams , leymah gbowee. maguire discussed desire end militarism , war, , build peace , international law , human rights , democracy.

iraq , afghanistan

mairead maguire voiced strong opposition u.n. sanctions against iraq, alleged have resulted in hundreds of thousands of civilian deaths, calling them unjust , inhuman, new kind of bomb, , more cruel weapons. during visit baghdad argentinian colleague adolfo pérez esquivel in march 1999, maguire urged then-u.s. president bill clinton , british prime minister tony blair end bombing of iraq , permit lifting of u.n. sanction. have seen children dying mothers next them , not being able anything, maguire said. not soldiers.

in aftermath of al-qaeda s attacks on u.s. in september 2001, became clear u.s. retaliate , deploy troops in afghanistan, maguire campaigned against impending war. in india claimed have marched hundreds of thousands of indian people walking peace. in new york, maguire reported have marched 10,000 protesters, purportedly including families of 9/11 victims, u.s. war planes en route strike taliban targets in afghanistan.

in period leading march 2003 invasion of iraq, mairead maguire campaigned vigorously against anticipated hostilities. speaking @ 23rd war resisters international conference in dublin, ireland in august 2002, maguire called on irish government oppose iraq war in every european , world forum of part. on 17 march 2003, st. patrick s day, maguire protested war outside united nations headquarters with, among other activists, frida berrigan. on 19 march, maguire addressed audience of 300 people in chapel @ le moyne college in syracuse, n.y. armies advanced weapons of mass destruction facing iraqi people have nothing, told crowd. in s language, s not fair. around time, maguire held 30-day vigil , began 40-day liquid fast outside white house, joined members of pax christi usa , christian church leaders. war got under way in days followed, maguire described invasion ongoing , shameful slaughter. daily sit, facing mecca in solidarity our muslim brothers , sisters in iraq, , ask allah forgiveness, said in statement press on 31 march. maguire later remark media in u.s. distorted news iraq , iraq war carried out in pursuit of american economic , military interests. in february 2006 expressed belief george w. bush , tony blair should made accountable illegally taking world war , war crimes against humanity.

criticism of president barack obama

maguire expressed disappointment selection of u.s. president barack obama winner of 2009 nobel peace prize. extraordinary efforts strengthen international diplomacy , co-operation between peoples, said, , yet continues policy of militarism , occupation of afghanistan, instead of dialogue , negotiations parties conflict. [...] giving award leader of militarised country in world, has taken human family against war, rightly seen many people around world reward country’s aggression , domination.

after declining meet dalai lama during visit u.s. in 2008, citing conflicting travel schedules, obama declined meet exiled tibetan spiritual leader again in 2009. maguire condemned considered obama s deliberate refusal meet dalai lama, calling horrifying.

speaking @ carl von ossietzky medal award ceremony in berlin in december 2010, maguire imputed criminal accountability president obama violation of international law. when president obama says wants see world without nuclear weapons , says, in respect of iran , alleged nuclear weapons ambitions, option [sic] on table, threat use nuclear weapons, criminal threat against iran, under world court advisory opinion. nuremberg charter of 8 august 1945 says threat or use of nuclear weapons criminal, officials in 9 nuclear weapons states maintain , use nuclear deterrence threat committing crimes , breaking international law.

confrontations law

mairead maguire twice arrested in united states. on 17 march 2003, arrested outside united nations headquarters in new york city during protest against iraq war. later month, on 27 march, 1 of 65 anti-war protesters briefly taken custody police after penetrating security barricade near white house.

in may 2009, following visit guatemala, maguire detained immigration authorities @ houston airport in texas detained maguire number of hours, during time questioned, fingerprinted , photographed, , consequently missed connecting flight northern ireland. insisted must tick box in immigration form admitting criminal activities, explained. in late july same year, maguire again detained immigration authorities, time @ dulles international airport in virginia, on way ireland new mexico meet colleague jody williams. in may, delay resulted in maguire missing connecting flight.

israel

a 2013 profile of maguire in progressive noted hasn’t lost passion yet , israeli occupation of palestine has occupied of attention in recent years.

mairead maguire first visited israel @ age 40 in 1984. came part of interfaith initiative seeking forgiveness jews years of persecution christians in jesus name. second visit in june 2000, time in response invitations rabbis human rights , israeli committee against house demolitions. 2 groups had taken upon defend ahmed shamasneh in israeli military court against charges of illegally constructing home in west bank town of qatanna, , maguire traveled israel observe court proceedings , support shamasneh family.

in 2013 interview, omitted mention of 1984 trip israel, saying first went israel/palestine @ invitation of rabbis human rights , israeli committee against house demolitions , absolutely horrified @ palestinians living conditions. after visit started going on regular basis, because hopeful there solution israeli/palestinian injustice. in northern ireland, people said there never solution. once people begin have political , force governments sit down, can happen. maguire has @ times been fiercely critical of state of israel, calling membership in united nations revoked or suspended. has accused israeli government of carrying out policy of ethnic cleansing against palestinians...in east jerusalem , supports boycott , divestment initiatives against israel. concomitantly, maguire has said loves israel , live in israel jewish people, live in fear of suicide bombs , kassam rockets.

mordechai vanunu advocacy

mairead maguire has been vocal supporter of mordechai vanunu, former israeli nuclear technician revealed details of israel s nuclear defence program british press in 1986 , subsequently served 18 years in prison treason. maguire flew israel in april 2004 greet vanunu upon release , has since flown meet him in israel on several occasions.

maguire has described draconian terms of vanunu s parole – including special order prohibiting contact foreign journalists , refusal allow him leave israel – , said remains virtual prisoner. in open letter addressed israeli people in july 2010, after vanunu returned prison violating terms of parole, maguire urged jews in israel petition government vanunu s release , freedom. praised vanunu man of peace, great visionary, true gandhian spirit, , compared actions of alfred nobel.

references holocaust

at joint press conference mordechai vanunu in jerusalem in december 2004, maguire compared israel s nuclear weapons nazi gas chambers in auschwitz. when think nuclear weapons, ve been auschwitz concentration camp. added, nuclear weapons gas chambers perfected ... , people know gas chambers are, how can think of building perfect gas chambers.

in january 2006, close holocaust memorial day, maguire asked mordechai vanunu remembered jews perished in holocaust. we, sorrow , sadness, remember holocaust victims, remember individuals of conscience refused silenced in face of danger , paid freedom , lives in defending jewish brothers , sisters, , remember our brother mordechai vanunu – lonely israeli prisoner in own country, refused silent.

in speech delivered in february 2006 nuclear age peace foundation in santa barbara, california, maguire again made comparison between nuclear weapons , nazis. last april of protested @ dimona nuclear plant, in israel, calling open un inspection, , bombs destroyed. israeli jets flew overhead, , train passed dimona nuclear site. brought me vivid memories of visit auschwitz concentration camp, rail tracks, trains, destruction , death.

maguire firmly denied comparing israel nazi germany in interview tal schneider of lady globes in november 2010. have years been speaking out against nuclear weapons. actively opposed nuclear weapons in britain, in united states, in israel, in country, because nuclear weapons ultimate destruction of humankind. have never said israel nazi germany, , don t know why quoted in israel. never compared gaza extermination camp. visited death camps in austria, nobel prize laureate elie wiesel, , think terrible people did not try stop genocide of jewish people.

palestinian activism

maguire said in 2007 speech israel s separation wall monument fear , failed politics , many palestinians daily living hard, indeed act of resistance. praised inspirational work of international solidarity movement , paid tribute memory of rachel corrie, gave life protesting demolition of palestinian homes israeli military, saying rachels of world reminds responsible each other, , interconnected in mysteriously spiritual , beautiful way.

maguire declared in december 2011 interview hamas elected party , should recognized such all. has democratic vote , should recognized. pointed out on 2008 gaza trip had been invited speak hamas parliament.

on 20 april 2007, maguire participated in protest against construction of israel s separation barrier outside palestinian village of bil in. protest held in no-access military zone. israeli forces used tear-gas grenades , rubber-coated bullets in effort disperse protesters, while protesters hurled rocks @ israeli troops, injuring 2 border guard policemen. 1 rubber bullet hit maguire in leg, whereupon transferred israeli hospital treatment. reported have inhaled large quantities of tear gas.

in october 2008, maguire arrived in gaza aboard ss dignity. although israel had insisted yacht not permitted approach gaza, then-prime minister ehud olmert capitulated , allowed ship sail destination without incident. during stay in gaza, maguire met hamas leader ismail haniyeh. photographed accepting honorary golden plate depicting palestinian flag draped on of israel , occupied territories.

in march 2009 mairead maguire joined campaign immediate , unconditional removal of hamas european union list of proscribed terrorist organisations.

huwaida arraf , maguire, 2009

on 30 june 2009, maguire taken custody israeli military along twenty others, including former u.s. congresswoman cynthia mckinney. on board small ferry, mv spirit of humanity (formerly arion), said carrying humanitarian aid gaza strip, when israel intercepted vessel off coast of gaza. israeli prison, gave lengthy interview democracy now! via cell phone, , deported on 7 july 2009 dublin. on 2 july 2009. in interview, rejected israeli authorities claim aid can pass freely gaza, charging gaza huge prison...a huge occupied territory of one-and-a-half million people have been subjected collective punishment israeli government. further said tragedy american government, un , europe, remain silent in face of abuse of palestinian human rights, freedom, , it’s tragic. in addition, claimed when boat approached israeli naval vessels in international waters, in grave danger of being killed @ point....really in very, dangerous position. literally hijacked, taken @ gunpoint israeli military.

in may–june 2010, maguire passenger on board mv rachel corrie, 1 of 7 vessels part of gaza freedom flotilla, flotilla of pro-palestinian activists attempted bust israeli-egyptian blockade of gaza strip. in interview bbc radio ulster while still @ sea, maguire called blockade inhumane, illegal siege. having been delayed due mechanical problems, rachel corrie did not sail flotilla , approached gazan coast several days after main flotilla did. in contrast violence characterised arrival of first 6 ships, israel s takeover of rachel corrie met passive resistance. israeli naval forces lowered ladder passengers assist ascent onto deck. after incident, maguire said did not feel life in danger ship s captain, derek graham, had been in touch israeli navy assure them there no violent resistance.

on 28 september 2010, maguire landed in israel part of delegation of nobel women s initiative. refused entry visa israeli authorities on grounds had twice in past tried run israel s naval embargo of gaza strip , 10-year exclusion order in effect against her. fought deportation of adalah ngho devoted rights of palestinians in israel. fatmeh el-ajou, attorney adalah noted, believe decision refuse entry ms. maguire based on illegitimate, irrelevant, , arbitrary political considerations. legal team filed petition against order central district court on maguire s behalf, court ruled pronounced deportation order valid. maguire appealed israel s supreme court. initially, court proposed maguire allowed remain in country few days on bail despite deportation order; however, state rejected proposal, arguing maguire had known prior arrival barred entering israel , conduct amounted taking law own hands. three-judge panel accepted state s position , upheld ruling of central district court. @ 1 point during hearing, maguire reportedly spoke up, saying israel must stop apartheid policy , siege on gaza. 1 of judges scolded saying, no place propaganda. mairead corrigan-maguire deported on flight uk following morning, 5 october 2010.

as preparations second gaza flotilla got underway in summer of 2011, irish mv saoirse expected take part, maguire expressed support campaign , called on israel grant flotilla passengers safe passage gaza.

in march 2014, maguire tried arrive gaza through egypt, part of activist delegation included american anti-war activist medea benjamin. members of delegation arrested in cairo, questioned , deported.

in 2016, maguire attempted break israel s naval blockade of gaza strip along 13 other activists, until stopped israeli navy approximately 40 miles offshore. boat escorted port of ashdod. israeli military said interception brief , without injuries. maguire complained , activists arrested, kidnapped, illegally, in international waters , taken against our wishes israel.

comparison of palestinians , israelis

maguire has more once suggested palestinians more interested in peace israelis are. said in 2011 interview when , colleagues left gaza in 2008, hopeful because there passionate desire among palestinian people peace, operation cast lead started following week. horrific. devastating. israel, said, had killed palestinian farmers , fishermen trying fish families, proving israeli government not want peace. in 2013 interview, repeated same point, saying in gaza in 2008, had been told hamas , fatah leaders want dialogue , peace, yet week later israel bombed gaza, committing war crimes, showing there no political peace in israeli government.

russell tribunal

in october 2012, maguire traveled new york city serve on russell tribunal on israel/palestine alongside writer alice walker, activist angela davis, former congresswoman cynthia mckinney, , pink floyd’s roger waters. during participation in russell tribunal, maguire, according 1 report, asked question seems taboo in u.s.: why president barack obama allow israel threaten iran war when iran has signed npt , israel has @ least 200 nuclear weapons? why president not demand israel sign npt?

after work on russell tribunal completed maguire said experience had opened mind, , deepened understanding of present facts of ongoing injustice palestinians daily suffering under israeli siege , occupation. rtop’s findings , conclusions challenge governments , civil society have courage , act implementing sanctions, bds etc., thereby refusing silent , complicit in face of israel ’s violation of international laws. rtop brilliant, informative , decisive, reminding our governments, , people, have moral , legal responsibility act protect human rights , international law , cannot silent when injustice being done anyone, anywhere.