The Search for Truth

This is a truly remarkable book by a remarkable and brave author. At the out set I should say that I have a personal stake in this story since I was working at the UN in Pakistan at the time of these events, and witnessed first hand the symptoms and warning signs of an internal culture of threats, neglect, abuse and predatorial behaviours. I also saw how the agency as a whole exercised wilfull blindness to the incredible damage and pain that was being inflicted by a few predators who had gained positions of power and influence (through nepotism), and used this status to forward their sordid and criminal acts. This story is all the more poignant since it is set in Pakistan, a magnificent but tragic country that continues to be at war with itself. It's women continue to be not only the routine victims of violence and abuse, but also carry on their shoulders the hope for a more enlightened and peaceful future. For years, Fouzia Saeed has been a champion for the dignity and human rights not only of women in Pakistan, but also for men since she recognizes that each gender has a critical role to play in the essential reforms required to make the nation more stable, more just, more peaceful and more compassionate to its beleagued citizens, without fear, prejudice or favor. To even give this book 5 stars is ludicrous since it does not fully recognise the importance of the story, and especially the courage of the author and the other victims of abuse. They struggled for years simply, to be heard and only later, much later, gained a degree of justice through the recognition by the 'authorities' of the truth and what actually happened; of the pain that it caused and the lessons to be learnt not only for the UN agency involved, but also for the individuals who had the ability and duty to act to stop these malicious, criminal acts, and yet failed to do so for (selfish) reasons that remain inexplicable and inexcusable in equal measures. The book is a triumph of compassion and for the truth - written with dignity, simplicity and great honesty. It reminds us that notwithstanding threats, violence, abuse and injustice, there are extraordinary people who refuse to be powerless victims and find strength in their own struggle to make the world a better and more just place. Review received on Amazon