Parents of slain daughter forgive

By Suzanne Johnson, Online Forty-Niner

Tuesday, November 17, 1998

"People ask why forgive. I ask why not," said Peter Biehl as he and his wife, Linda, presented "Private Loss and Public Forgiveness" Monday in the North Campus Library.

The Biehls' daughter, Amy, a Stanford University graduate and Fulbright Scholar, traveled to South Africa in October 1992 to study the role of women in emerging democracies.

Ten months later, she was brutally murdered by a mob leaving a Pan African Congress rally.

Four men were brought to trial for Amy's death in February 1994. In February 1995, all four were granted amnesty.

"We supported the truth and reconciliation process 100 percent because we knew that South Africa would never have a free election without that pre-negotiated condition," he said.

"If we support it, then we must also accept the logical conclusion of that process, whatever it may be," Peter said.

According to Peter, amnesty is granted on a case-by-case basis, contingent upon three conditions. It must be clearly established that the crime committed was politically inspired and directed, a confession must be made and an apology must be given.

Remorse is not necessary, Peter said. If a person is maintaining that his or her crime was politically motivated, it makes sense not to express remorse, he said.

According to Peter, forgiveness has been a completely liberating experience.

"Our present work would not be possible without it," he said.

"Forgiveness was not a conscious process. I don't know how we are where we are, but we are.

"Forgiveness has always been so natural, so obvious," he said. "Who among us has nothing to be forgiven for?"

After suffering a tragic loss, many people seek closure. The Biehls have no desire for closure.

"Why would we want to close the book on our daughter and her values?" Peter asked.

The Biehl family visited South Africa in October 1993.

"Immediately, I knew why Amy was there," Peter said. "It was consistent with her character. She was concerned with turning rights into realities."

The public and international character of Amy's death and the abundance of support offered has made it easier to deal with, her parents said.

"Nothing has happened that Amy hasn't prepared us for," Peter said. "She has guided and educated us. That's why we do what we do presently. For that, we must commend Amy and be eternally grateful."

The Biehls recently spoke at the United Nations in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and participated in awarding Nelson Mandela the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor.

They are scheduled to appear on a segment of "60 Minutes" some time in December.

The Biehls have established the Amy Biehl foundation to honor their daughter's memory and continue her work.

"Amy's death turned the tide," Linda said. "Hopefully, she died knowing that she made a difference that way."

Despite the great loss of life and bloodshed, miracles are occurring, Linda said.

The audience commended the Biehls' powerful testimony of the capacity for human forgiveness with a standing ovation.