Christmas is a time for reflection and contemplation; we wish each other a peaceful, relaxing holiday, send cards and exchange presents. In keeping with this custom, over 40 'targeted' leaders responsible for human rights violations in their countries, including Fidel Castro, Mu'ammar Gadafi and Pakistan's Musharraf, received festively-wrapped Christmas presents. Inside were four black Christmas tree balls, reworked to make ankle chains. On the enclosed card, the ISHR wished the despots 'a peaceful, undisturbed Christmas putting on these Christmas tree balls.'

We do not know how many of the 40 presents actually made it to the recipients themselves, but even if they only reached the personal secretaries, this would be a big success for the human rights movement.

Media response was outstandingly positive: there were newspaper articles in the national dailies FAZ, BILD, Frankfurter Rundschau (among others), a special radio show, and a prime-time report on Germany's biggest TV station, ARD.

Mr Lessenthin, ISHR Spokesman of the Board, declared it a complete success: 'The symbolic ankle chains are a great way to remind people of human rights violations at Christmas.'