--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The people standing up most strongly for…" description: "\"The people standing up most strongly for our democracies should be celebrated, not prosecuted - be it those countless human rights defenders who defend..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/543/winnie-byanyima-4582_brave_the-people-standing-up-most-strongly-for_1665829.jpg" --- # The people standing up most strongly for our democracies… ![“The people standing up most strongly for our democracies should be celebrated, not prosecuted - be it those countless human rights defenders who defend all our rights or the brave whistle-blowers who expose tax dodging.” quote by Winnie Byanyima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/543/winnie-byanyima-4582_brave_the-people-standing-up-most-strongly-for_1665829.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/543/winnie-byanyima-4582_brave_the-people-standing-up-most-strongly-for_1665829.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/543/winnie-byanyima-4582_brave_the-people-standing-up-most-strongly-for_1665829.jpg) > “The people standing up most strongly for our democracies should be celebrated, not prosecuted - be it those countless human rights defenders who defend all our rights or the brave whistle-blowers who expose tax dodging.” [Winnie Byanyima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winnie-byanyima/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Celebrating defenders of democracy emphasizes their essential role and discourages criminalizing activism. **In simple terms:** Support and honor those who protect democratic rights. Key Takeaway Protect and amplify the voices of defenders. Themes human rights democracy activism courage Mood hopeful urgent Type advocacy inspirational When to use this quote - human rights awards - legal protections - public recognition - policy advocacy Key Concepts civil society whistleblowing accountability justice Questions to Reflect On - How can societies better safeguard activists? - What mechanisms ensure accountability for rights violations? A Different Perspective State repression can still target defenders despite praise. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brave/) [Celebrated Prosecuted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/celebrated-prosecuted-806089/) [Defend Rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defend-rights-355612/) [Democracies Celebrated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracies-celebrated-806087/) [Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human/) [Human rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-rights/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Rights Defenders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights-defenders-806088/) [Strongly Democracies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strongly-democracies-806090/) [Tax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tax/) ## Related quotes > [Specific protection must be granted to human rights defenders and whistleblowers who have in some contexts been accused of being unpatriotic, whereas they perform,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-maurice-de-zayas/specific-protection-must-be-granted-to-human-rights-defenders-and/) [Alfred-Maurice de Zayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-maurice-de-zayas/) > [For many Mexican human rights defenders, confronting the military does not end so well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-kennedy/for-many-mexican-human-rights-defenders-confronting-the-military-does/) [Kerry Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-kennedy/) > [Oxfam believes that any global talks to reform tax rules must include all countries, including the poorest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winnie-byanyima/oxfam-believes-that-any-global-talks-to-reform-tax-rules-must-include/) [Winnie Byanyima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winnie-byanyima/) > [By allowing super wealthy corporations and individuals to avoid paying their fair share of tax, tax havens are denying governments' revenue that could and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winnie-byanyima/by-allowing-super-wealthy-corporations-and-individuals-to-avoid/) [Winnie Byanyima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winnie-byanyima/) > [A global tax body would give all countries - not just the rich and powerful - an equal say in how the global rules…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winnie-byanyima/a-global-tax-body-would-give-all-countries-not-just-the-rich-and/) [Winnie Byanyima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winnie-byanyima/) > [Tax abuse is a scourge on our global community, but especially for Africa.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winnie-byanyima/tax-abuse-is-a-scourge-on-our-global-community-but-especially-for/) [Winnie Byanyima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winnie-byanyima/) > [For many years as a foreign correspondent, I not only worked alongside human rights advocates, but considered myself one of them. To defend the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/for-many-years-as-a-foreign-correspondent-i-not-only-worked-alongside/) [Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/) > [Defend yourselves! 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If the authorities try to destroy us, we have the right to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-udaltsov/we-will-defend-ourselves-and-we-have-full-rights-to-do-so-if-the/) [Sergei Udaltsov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-udaltsov/) ## More by Winnie Byanyima > [Having an economy that works for the 99% is achievable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winnie-byanyima/having-an-economy-that-works-for-the-99-is-achievable/) [Winnie Byanyima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winnie-byanyima/) > [Corporations are driving down wages and working conditions across the globe to maximize returns for their shareholders. They use their power and influence to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winnie-byanyima/corporations-are-driving-down-wages-and-working-conditions-across-the/) [Winnie Byanyima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winnie-byanyima/) > [By empowering a woman, we empower a child. By educating a girl child, we make it possible for her to grow up to become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winnie-byanyima/by-empowering-a-woman-we-empower-a-child-by-educating-a-girl-child-we/) [Winnie Byanyima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winnie-byanyima/) > [A global tax body would give all countries - not just the rich and powerful - an equal say in how the global rules…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winnie-byanyima/a-global-tax-body-would-give-all-countries-not-just-the-rich-and/) [Winnie Byanyima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winnie-byanyima/) > [Governments should end the extreme concentration of wealth in order to end poverty. 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They lose billions more from overly generous tax…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winnie-byanyima/african-countries-lose-billions-every-year-because-of-tax-dodging-by/) [Winnie Byanyima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winnie-byanyima/) > [Billions of people are being left behind by economic growth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winnie-byanyima/billions-of-people-are-being-left-behind-by-economic-growth/) [Winnie Byanyima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winnie-byanyima/) > [Tax abuse is a scourge on our global community, but especially for Africa.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winnie-byanyima/tax-abuse-is-a-scourge-on-our-global-community-but-especially-for/) [Winnie Byanyima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winnie-byanyima/) > [Global growth and development that is strong, sustainable, and inclusive requires the challenges of inequality to be met head-on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winnie-byanyima/global-growth-and-development-that-is-strong-sustainable-and/) [Winnie Byanyima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winnie-byanyima/) > [The move to a zero-carbon future is unstoppable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winnie-byanyima/the-move-to-a-zero-carbon-future-is-unstoppable/) [Winnie Byanyima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winnie-byanyima/) > [Developing countries can make great strides towards more progressive and effective taxation and spending through action within their own borders. But the damage caused…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winnie-byanyima/developing-countries-can-make-great-strides-towards-more-progressive/) [Winnie Byanyima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winnie-byanyima/) > [My own life values were shaped in great part by my mother, who instigated women's clubs in my village. Women were able to organize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winnie-byanyima/my-own-life-values-were-shaped-in-great-part-by-my-mother-who/) [Winnie Byanyima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winnie-byanyima/) > [The conniving, rich oilmen that were so desperate to prevent and frustrate the Paris Agreement found cheerleaders in Mr. Trump and his party. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winnie-byanyima/the-conniving-rich-oilmen-that-were-so-desperate-to-prevent-and/) [Winnie Byanyima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winnie-byanyima/) [Explore all 109 Winnie Byanyima quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winnie-byanyima/) ## More Brave quotes > [In the current climate, things that are true, brave human stories become political.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cate-blanchett/in-the-current-climate-things-that-are-true-brave-human-stories/) [Cate Blanchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cate-blanchett/) > [If You Love Someone, Be Brave Enough To Tell Them., Otherwise Be Brave Enough To Watch Them To Be Loved By Someone Else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bilal-zahoor/if-you-love-someone-be-brave-enough-to-tell-them-otherwise-be-brave/) [Bilal Zahoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bilal-zahoor/) > [Be convinced that to be happy means to be free and that to be free means to be brave. Therefore do not take lightly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/be-convinced-that-to-be-happy-means-to-be-free-and-that-to-be-free/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [It's always brave to be yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-yifei/it-s-always-brave-to-be-yourself/) [Liu Yifei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-yifei/) > [“Victory is for the fucking brave, not the timid and excuse-riddled weak.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zakk-wylde/victory-is-for-the-fucking-brave-not-the-timid-and-excuse-riddled-weak/) [Zakk Wylde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zakk-wylde/) > [I'm very proud of 'Every Girl's a Super Girl.' I want all girls to know that no matter what size, color, or shape, whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jojo-siwa/i-m-very-proud-of-every-girl-s-a-super-girl-i-want-all-girls-to-know/) [JoJo Siwa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jojo-siwa/) > [And I read the moral--A brave endeavour To do thy duty, whate'er its worth, Is better than life with love forever, And love is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-jeffrey-roche/and-i-read-the-moral-a-brave-endeavour-to-do-thy-duty-whate-er-its/) [James Jeffrey Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-jeffrey-roche/) > [I admire machinery as much is any man, and am as thankful to it as any man can be for what it does for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-admire-machinery-as-much-is-any-man-and-am-as-thankful-to-it-as-any/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [You know what really made me sick? I was in Washington, D.C. at another time reading in a paper where the U.S. gives Byron…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fannie-lou-hamer/you-know-what-really-made-me-sick-i-was-in-washington-d-c-at-another/) [Fannie Lou Hamer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fannie-lou-hamer/) > [To be able to live and train in Iraq under these circumstances you need to be brave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-be-able-to-live-and-train-in-iraq-under-these-circumstances-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There's a fallacy with stand up comedy, which is, people come up to comedians, and they go, 'You say what I think but I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-jefferies/there-s-a-fallacy-with-stand-up-comedy-which-is-people-come-up-to/) [Jim Jefferies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-jefferies/) > [Fortune helps the brave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence/fortune-helps-the-brave/) [Terence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence/) > [“A ‘good’ father will tenderly cultivate his children. But a ‘good’ father who is also a ‘brave’ father will let the children without cultivate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/a-good-father-will-tenderly-cultivate-his-children-but-a-good-father/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [And is it selfish of me to crave victory, or is it brave?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/and-is-it-selfish-of-me-to-crave-victory-or-is-it-brave/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [THE British are brave people. They can face anything, except reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mikes/the-british-are-brave-people-they-can-face-anything-except-reality/) [George Mikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mikes/) [Browse all 3,314 Brave quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brave/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The people standing up most strongly for our democracies should be celebrated, not prosecuted - be it those countless human rights defenders who defend all our rights or the brave whistle-blowers who expose tax dodging.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Winnie Byanyima" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winnie-byanyima/the-people-standing-up-most-strongly-for-our-democracies-should-be/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Brave" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winnie-byanyima/the-people-standing-up-most-strongly-for-our-democracies-should-be/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/543/winnie-byanyima-4582_brave_the-people-standing-up-most-strongly-for_1665829.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/543/winnie-byanyima-4582_brave_the-people-standing-up-most-strongly-for_1665829.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/543/winnie-byanyima-4582_brave_the-people-standing-up-most-strongly-for_1665829.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The people standing up most strongly for our democracies should be celebrated, not prosecuted - be it those…” — Winnie Byanyima", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Winnie Byanyima", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winnie-byanyima/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The people standing up most strongly...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winnie-byanyima/the-people-standing-up-most-strongly-for-our-democracies-should-be/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winnie-byanyima/the-people-standing-up-most-strongly-for-our-democracies-should-be/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```