[Cross-posted on IranFreeTheDocs.org.]
The most moving aspect of AIDS 2008 so far for me has been meeting so many of Kamiar and Arash Alaei’s friends and colleagues—all of whom have stories and kind words about the two physicians detained in Iran and are hoping to see the brothers again soon. Today, one of their colleagues, Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman, gave an important plenary speech about her work on harm reduction—and in front of thousands of conference participants, made an impassioned plea to the Iranian Government to free Arash and Kamiar. To sustained applause, we walked in front of the plenary carrying signs with photos of the brothers and the URL for the petition to the government of Iran, IranFreeTheDocs.org. We passed out thousands of buttons and stickers, which are now all over the conference.
This case is difficult and sad, but the energy from this conference encourage me. Please sign the petition and ask your organization to join those endorsing it.
Additional ways to help:
- Contact the Iranian Embassy in your country.
- Ask your organization to issue a statement calling on the government of Iran to release Kamiar and Arash Alaei.
Thanks to all who have acted and/or expressed concern—and have given hope for the release of these two physicians.
I walked into the activist meeting space yesterday morning and a wave of excitement washed over me. We are right behind the dance 4 life exhibition in the global village and they are jamming to some afro-caribbean beats that got me boppin’ as I walked by. When I entered, the room was absolutely buzzing with activity. Groups of people huddled together over blackberries and computers. The copier was humming and rhythmically churning out materials for press conferences. Another group busily making fliers and materials for today’s human rights march.
On flip chart in front of them written in English, Spanish and French:
Idea’s for todays actions and targets. Asks?
- Group intros and overview of planned actions for the week
- Ugandan M.o.P.H (Minister of Public Health)-Ask=gay Ugandan activists that were kicked out of PEPFAR implementer meeting in Uganda
Former Brown PHR student leader Jack Rusley who attended the Clinton speech today says they made a big splash. According to him, Bill Clinton, amazing and charismatic speaker that he is, incorporated the issue the activist raised into his speech.
Here are some excerpts from actions that have been posted on the AIDS2008.com blog.
- From Cameron Lefevre:
Kaytee already posted a great blog about ACT UP Paris’ action earlier today–where they took over the beginning of Bristol-Myers Squibb Symposium entitled “Rethinking Initiation of HAART” to call attention to the fact that BMS is “rethinking” production of a key HIV medication for children–but I wanted to follow-up and share a quick video and some photos from the event….
- The blog post by Kaytee, mentioned by Cameron:
You know the AIDS Conference has started when you hear the chants of activists resonate through the halls as they exit a conference room. So I’m happy to say – the AIDS Conference has officially started!
- Suzy Subway on the 1st Intl March Against Stigma, Discrimination And Homophobia (1ra. Marcha Contra El Estigma, La Discriminación Y La Homofobia)
During the conference we will be releasing a “Statement on the Rights of Nurses to Health and Safety.” PHR has developed this global call to action with our partner organization, the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC). Many domestic and international nursing organizations and hundreds of individuals have already endorsed the statement.
Please take a moment today to sign your name.
We hope this statement will help national and local nursing and health worker organizations around the world to more effectively demand occupational health and safety measures.
Far too often health providers lack the basic means to protect themselves and their patients from preventable infectious diseases. This statement calls for workplace health and safety measures for nurses and health care workers around the world. During the conference, we are seeking meetings with the leadership of PEPFAR and the Global Fund to present the final document and request a public commitment to implement it in all programs.
And if you’re at the conference, be sure to attend Getting Serious About Nurses: Health and Safety in the Workplace. This satellite session will focus on health and safety for all nurses and health workers in the workplace, and how work conditions affect workforce shortages. Speakers from Kenya, Zambia and Mexico will share their personal and professional perspectives on these issues and showcase some model programs responding to these concerns.
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