British Human Rights Organizations and Soviet Dissent, 1965–1985

Description

In the latter half of the 20th century, a number of dissidents engaged in a series of campaigns against the Soviet authorities and as a result were subjected to an array of cruel and violent punishments. A collection of like-minded activists in Britain campaigned on their behalf, and formed a variety of organizations to publicise their plight. British Human Rights Organizations and Soviet Dissent, 1965-1985 examines the efforts of these activists, exploring how influential their activism was in shaping the wider public awareness of Soviet human rights violations in the context of the Cold War. Mark Hurst explores the British response to Soviet human rights violation, drawing on extensive archival work and interviews with key individuals from the period. This book examines the network of human rights activists in Britain, and demonstrates that in order to be fully understood, the Soviet dissident movement needs to be considered in an international context. Cover Half-title Title Copyright Contents List of Illustrations Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations Introduction 1. From Belov to Bukovsky – The Growing Awareness of Psychiatric Abuse 2. Shifting Psychiatric Concerns, the Special Committee and the Soviet Withdrawal 3. Prisoner’s Banquets, Ghosts and the Ballet – The Women’s Campaign for Soviet Jewry 4. From Toothache to Keston, via Moscow – Michael Bourdeaux and the Centre for the Study of Religion and Communism 5. Attempting Impartiality – Amnesty International and the Soviet Union Conclusion – The Rush to Expertise Notes Bibliography Index