Nelson Mandela’s Captive Audience
On Feb. 11, 1990 — 20 years ago this Thursday — Nelson Mandela walked through the gates of a South African prison after 27 years of confinement. His release was celebrated the world over. But it had a particular effect on those who were being held as political prisoners by other repressive regimes. The Op-Ed editors asked seven of these former captives to describe what it was like when they heard the news of Mr. Mandela’s liberation.
Freedom’s Dominoes
Mr. Mandela’s release heralded the eventual freedom of political prisoners in Malawi.
Silly Men, Sharp Knives
In China's Hebei Prison, the news called to mind an old Chinese maxim: a knife must be ground to be sharpened.
Path of Most Resistance
A humanitarian under house arrest was inspired to issue a manifesto for the basic rights of the Vietnamese people.
The Radio’s Song of Liberation
A prisoner in Indonesia believed that at last justice and freedom had won.
My Hero, Page by Page
Smuggled pages of an article describing Mr. Mandela’s autobiography inspired Burmese political prisoners.
Ray of Light
A prisoner in Chad swore that if he got out alive, he would fight for freedom.
A Smile to Remember
In the pursuit of freedom, there are times when we must pay the price of losing our freedom, learned a Chinese student leader.
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