Snakes and Ladders: A personal exploration of Quaker work on human rights at the United Nations

“Central to Quakerism, as I understand it, is the belief of ‘that of God’ in every individual. For me, this leads essentially to the obligation that all should be treated as human beings with dignity and rights...” The Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) in Geneva enables Quaker concerns to be heard at an international level, while its quiet processes help informal but crucial talks to be held. In this book, Quaker human rights lawyer Rachel Brett outlines what is unique about how and why Quakers work at the UN. Through personal reflections on specific work and achievements, such as outlawing the use of child soldiers and advocating for conscientious objectors and women in prison, Snakes and Ladders provides an insight into QUNO’s profound and continuing effect on people’s lives. Rachel Brett first worked at QUNO Geneva in 1976. Following an internship with QUNO New York she gained a Masters degree in International Human Rights Law and returned to QUNO Geneva in 1993.