Norwegian activist killed in Esperance fire remembered by Amnesty colleagues
|
Version 0 of 1. A 29-year-old human rights activist from Norway who died in a massive bushfire in Western Australia has been remembered by her colleagues as someone who fought tirelessly to end homophobic and transphobic discrimination. Anna Winther died on Tuesday while trying to fleeing the Esperance fire in a vehicle with Julia Kohrs-Lichte, 19, from Germany, and Tom Butcher, 31, from Britain, who both also died. Winther’s colleague from Amnesty International in Perth, Sarah Gooderham, told Guardian Australia Winther was a passionate volunteer with the human rights organisation, and that she inspired her peers whenever she was in the office. Related: Esperance bushfire: British man, Norwegian student and farmer among dead “Anna was a really passionate, intelligent and vibrant person who was never afraid to speak her mind and push for us to be doing more to stand up for LGBTQI rights,” Gooderham said. “Whenever she was in the office or at an event she brought a real intensity and drive to our work. I am deeply saddened that the world has lost such a passionate human rights activist and academic.” Winther worked on a number of human rights campaigns, and was a member of Amnesty’s LGBTQI action group in Perth. In her time working with the group she worked on a campaign aimed at ending violence against LGBTQI people in Russia. She also worked on the case of John Jeanette Solstad Remø, a transgender woman in Norway fighting to have the Norwegian government allow her to legally recognise her change of gender. “Anna also of course worked on marriage equality and supported the annual pride fair here in WA,” Gooderham said. “Our LGBTQI group will be marching in the pride parade this Saturday as planned, as they feel that this is what Anna would have wanted, but they will be wearing black armbands as a mark of respect and remembrance for the loss of one of their own. “Anna was intent on a future where the rights of her community would be recognised, and the loss of her life is a true loss to the movement.” |