Stop tuberculosis May 21, 2009
XDRTB.org is an extraordinary effort to tell the story of extremely drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) and TB through powerful photographs taken by James Nachtwey. XDR-TB, or extremely drug-resistant tuberculosis, is a new and deadly mutation of tuberculosis. Similar in creation to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) but more extreme in its manifestation, it arises when common tuberculosis goes untreated or standard TB drugs are misused. James’ photographs represent these varying strains.
Free Burma’s political prisoners May 20, 2009
Aung San Suu Kyi is still under house arrest and 2,000 pro democracy monks and activists are being held in inhumane conditions in Burmese prisons. Their crime: peacefully calling for democracy.
Sign a petition to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to call for their release.
Save Troy Davis – again May 15, 2009
The stay of execution for Troy Davis which had been ordered by the Supreme Court is coming to an end soon, and he could be executed at any moment after that. More than ever, it is essential to defend him and obtain a re-trial and suspend his execution.
Celebrate life May 15, 2009
From Ben in comments:
I’ve just had a book published. Its a comedy about going thru cancer. To give it a kick I set up a bookshop in an art gallery. it only sells copies of the one book and profits go to cancer research.
Photos are at http://www.my-left-testicle.com
Its all about and for a good cause to hopefully interesting.
Happy to spread a smile.
Stop the Sri Lankan Bloodbath May 13, 2009
Tens of thousands of innocent civilians are trapped in a shrinking 3 square kilometer (1.6 miles) conflict zone – bombarded by government artillery, and used as human shields by the rebels. The Japanese government, Sri Lanka’s major donor and close regional partner has the power to help stop this humanitarian disaster.
Act now by sending a message to the office of Japan´s Foreign Minister Nakasone.
Ask Iceland to save whales May 12, 2009
The people of Iceland have chosen a new Prime Minister, Johanna Sigurdardottir. A well known opponent Iceland’s whaling, before the election, Ms Sigurdardottir’s interim government made clear its opposition to Iceland’s whaling legacy.
Free AIDS doctors in Iran May 6, 2009
After being held without charge for over 6 months last year in Iran , Drs. Arash and Kamiar Alaei were subjected to a perfunctory, one-day trial in December 2008. They were charged with communicating with an enemy state and with other secret charges which neither they nor their attorney were allowed to see evidence for or address. Arash and Kamiar were sentenced to 6 and 3 years in prison, respectively, on what we believe are politically motivated and illegitimate charges leveled in a patently unfair court proceeding.
Their day job is actually to treat AIDS patients. Not only are Arash and Kamiar in danger here, but also all AIDS patients in Iran if physicians end up being afraid of treating them.
Update – Olga wrote in a comment:The detention of the Alaeis is a tragic blow to the progress of AIDS medicine in Iran and worldwide. Please join us for the Global Day of Action for the Alaeis on May 12 and tell the Iranian Government with one loud and clear voice that “Treating AIDS is Not a Crime!” There are over 16 different countries participating on May 12th, including vigils in New York and D.C. Find a location near you at IranFreeTheDocs.org. We will also be broadcasting live from the vigils at the Iranian Embassy in NYC and Washington DC. You can join us here: http://iranfreethedocs.org/virtual-vigil/
Free Roxana Saberi April 29, 2009
Roxana Saberi is an American journalist with dual Iranian-American citizenship who has been imprisoned in Iran since late January. On April 18, based on a closed, one day trial, Ms. Saberi was sentenced to eight years in prison for charges of spying for the United States, a charge the White House vigorously denies as “baseless.”
Please urge the Iranian government to release Roxana Saberi immediately.
Update : Roxanna is free!
End institutional racism in the Austrian criminal justice system April 28, 2009
Research by Amnesty International has found that institutional racism in the Austrian police and judicial organs is resulting in their failure to provide the same quality of service to all persons.
Foreigners and non-white Austrians are more likely to be suspected of crime and less likely to have their rights respected when they report it. They are also more likely to be ill-treated by the police and less likely to obtain redress.
