Our country, like every modern state, needs profound democratic reforms. It needs political and ideological pluralism, a mixed economy and protection of human rights and the opening up of society.

I regard the death penalty as a savage and immoral institution that undermines the moral and legal foundations of society. I reject the notion that the death penalty has any essential deterrent effect on potential offenders. I am convinced that the contrary is true - that savagery begets only savagery.

I could not stop something I knew was wrong and terrible. I had an awful sense of powerlessness.

A country which does not respect the rights of its own citizens will not respect the rights of its neighbours

You can't sit on two chairs at once.

I've always thought that the most powerful weapon in the world was the bomb and that's why I gave it to my people, but I've come to the conclusion that the most powerful weapon in the world is not the bomb but it's the truth

Do not trust governments more than governments trust their own people.