News Article

Renowned Human Rights Activist to Speak at Edison College

Apr 10, 2008

Dr. Terry Coonan, Executive Director of the Center for the Advancement of Human Rights at Florida State University and an internationally recognized human rights attorney and activist, will present and discuss his documentary, "Breaking the Silence: Torture Survivors Speak Out" on Thursday, April 17, from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. at Edison College's Lee Campus, in Taeni Hall, Room S-117. The presentation is free and open to the public.

The 65-minute documentary has been shown to Congress, and is included in Amnesty International's traveling film festival this year. It is based on more than 40 interviews conducted by Coonan and Dr. Valerie Auzenne with members of Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition [TASSC], an organization of torture survivors from around the world. Throughout the film, the survivors recount both their torture and the emotional healing begun through TASSC.

After studying law on a human rights fellowship at the University of Cincinnati, Coonan was selected for the Justice Department Honors Program, and served for several years advising U.S. judges on immigration and refugee law. He went on to litigate asylum and torture victim protection cases throughout the country. He has also worked with the United Nations Sub Commission for Human Rights in Geneva and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees in Washington, D.C.

For additional information, phone Edison College at [239] 489-9470.

Last Updated: April 10, 2008