Create a more Just World by December 10-Fanny Cachat

Astère Muyango is a lawyer and IBJ Fellow based in Bujumbura, Burundi. Astere risks his life daily to defend the legal rights of Burundians who have been detained and tortured - people who have no way to defend themselves.

Burundians are largely unaware that they have any legal rights. This presents one of the largest roadblocks – as well as largest motivations – for Astère’s human rights work.

Astere was orphaned at the age of 12 and became the breadwinner for the 7 children of his family. His country has been devastated by over 12 years of civil war, and endless human rights abuses.

Astère has dedicated his life to public education about legal rights and sponsoring change in the broken criminal justice system. In a country where prison occupancy levels are well over 200% capacity, human rights advocates like Astere are critical to saving lives. In July, Astere led a roundtable discussion on Burundi’s Juvenile prison system, where 444 minors are held in adult prisons, often for something as trivial as cheating on a test in school.

When Astère was in the town of Nyanza-Lac, he witnessed a woman who was caught red-handed committing petty theft in a field. As is common in Burundi, a mob attempted to lynch her because of the social stigma against stealing. Children were watching the scene. The victim was already in very bad shape but Astere immediately intervened to stop the lynching. He managed to identify local authorities and made them responsible for any harm to the woman. She was taken to the local police station where she paid a small fine and was released.

Astère is crucial to changing attitudes, especially in relation to issues about arrests, imprisonment, and abuse of prisoners. His first concern is to instill in all of the members of the Burundian legal system—lawyers, judges, police officers, administrative authorities and legislators—the necessity to respect basic human dignity in all of their actions.

Astère needs your help and support to carry out his vision of an independent legal system that protects human rights instead of violating legal rights and creating a country of fear.

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Every day, IBJ Fellows take huge risks for the defense of legal rights around the world. Their programs are under constant threat of running out of money.

Despite the risks they take on a daily basis for their work, they cannot create significant, long-lasting legal changes without adequate funding and resources. Help them realize their goals by rallying in support of their uncompromising dedication to human rights.

Your Pledge:

During this campaign, your donations will be matched by up to $125,000 through the generous funding of private donors.

My goal is to raise $1000 between now and December 10th, 2009, Human Rights Day, in order to support these Fellows and the changes they strive tirelessly to achieve.

Save lives and create a more just world by December 10 – contribute now!