Kay Danes

On December 23, 2000, in defiance of International law, Kay Danes and her husband Kerry were abducted by secret police while working as Executive Security Managers in the communist country of Laos. They were taken hostage when authorities centered the Danes in a dispute between the Lao Government and one of the Danes clients - Gem Mining Laos. The secret police attempted to force the Danes to sign false statements against their client to support the illegal nationalization of the US$2 billion dollar foreign investment. The Danes refused and as a consequence, endured terrible human rights violations in squalid prison conditions, torture and brutal interrogations. They were separated from their three children for almost a year before the Australian Government could secure their release through an unprecedented Presidential Pardon. Kay and Kerry Danes returned home to their children on November 9, 2001. It is a miracle that they survived.
Since gaining her freedom, Kay Danes has become an International Human Rights celebrity. She has appeared prominently throughout the world on numerous television programs including: the Barry Lynn Show [United States], Good Morning Australia, 9am with David and Kim, Sunrise, 7:30 Report, A Current Affair and the Australian Story. Kay has featured in exclusive magazines including; Marie Claire, Madison, Time Magazine, Asia Week, and the Bulletin. Kay appears frequently in print media; including: Washington Post, Metro (UK), CNN and BBC online, and has been a special guest on various radio programs including: Voice of America, B105 FM and Radio, Radio City (UK). Kay Danes was an invited guest speaker at two US Congressional Forums in Washington DC. Kay's testimony was pivotal in alerting the world to the genocide in Laos, the plight of its people and the violations of international law and United Nations mandates.
Kay continues to provide humanitarian support to the Zambian Orphans of death row prisoners. She is equally determined to assist impoverished people in SE Asia. Her efforts contributed to the building of a school and medical centre for refugee children in Cambodia. She was honored in April 2006 by becoming an Ambassador for the US based International Relief Centre. Kay's journey is incredibly inspirational and has helped thousands of people all throughout the world face their own struggles with greater determination.
In January 2008, Kay Danes was nominated for the "Australian of the Year" Award - and was congratulated by the Australia Day Council "for setting high standards of excellence and contributing in ways that inspire us all". In October 2008, Kay embarked on another humanitarian mission in the war zone - Afghanistan. As the Australian Consultant for the Child Light Foundation, a US based Charity; Kay Danes significantly contributed to making a difference in the lives of the women and children in Afghanistan, through education, health & welfare services, vocational training and agricultural programs and workshops. Kay Danes is a prominent Australian who is frequently called upon to give expert opinion on world affairs relating to foreign internment and human rights. She is an advisor to numerous corporations seeking security advice for their employees operating overseas.