Pursuing justice

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Pursuing justice

01 Feb 2009

Speakers: Thomas Buergenthal, Phillipe Sands

Philippe Sands talks to Thomas Buergenthal about his book A Lucky Child (2009) and whether the publication of a memoir has made him feel exposed at any point. Buergenthal discusses parts of his past and his experiences in Germany, both as a child and adult, and talks about the emotions his experiences provoked: shame, anger and eventually generosity and gratification.

Sands asks Buergenthal about the circumstances of his childhood, the importance of language and his multi-lingual background; about submission under the Nazis and the instinct for survival. Buergenthal believes that his career in human rights is a direct result of his childhood experiences and the horrors he has witnessed.