Create a More Just World by December 10th - Akhila Kolisetty

Create a More Just World by December 10th - Akhila Kolisetty
A fundraiser supporting INTERNATIONAL BRIDGES TO JUSTICE

For the first time in history, we have a roadmap for the prevention of torture as an investigative tool. Help make this dream a reality.

Rommel, a lawyer in the Philippines, has dedicated his life to advocating on behalf of uneducated detainees and prisoners who suffer unnecessarily from horrendous prison conditions. His passion as a legal rights advocate developed during his internships with various NGOs, when he first realized that he could bring real change to the life of a marginalized person. In the course of his work, Rommel was moved by the story of a family friend who suffered in jail for months without realizing that he could post bail. Rommel realized that there were many others, also unaware of their rights, who were powerless in the criminal justice system.
Impassioned by his first hand knowledge of the problems in the city jails - slow trials, lack of inmate programs and prison congestion, Rommel is training inmates to become paralegals. Through training, the trained inmates can then educate their peers on their legal rights, protecting them from some of the worst abuses in prison. Rommel needs your help in his fight against prisoner abuse and prison congestion.
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 face for their courageous 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.

Why I care, and you should too:

This summer, I interned with IBJ in Geneva, and was amazed by the passion I saw within the organization. I was interested in human rights before my internship, but now I am absolutely committed to access to justice and rule of law initiatives. IBJ inspired me through their innovative approach to training public defenders and providing grants to grassroots innovators working to reform criminal justice systems within their communities. The truth is that you and I in the developed world take access to justice for granted -- of course we would be guaranteed a lawyer if accused!
The reality is much more stark in many developing countries, where some countries only have 100 trained lawyers, and where there is very poor legal infrastructure. Many people are arbitrarily detained, and often are kept behind bars for over 5 years before they have a chance to plead their case in court. Worst of all, torture is commonly used as an investigative tool, despite being prohibited by the law. There is a gap between human rights declarations and the implementation on the ground, which is what IBJ aims to address.
After working with IBJ, I have become convinced that this is an issue we all need to care about and work towards - and yet, it is often ignored. I want to work towards a day where a woman who has experienced domestic abuse is able to safely go to the police for help, where a child is not detained and tortured for stealing a bicycle, and where prison conditions are not life-threatening. I hope to eventually attend law school and fight for human rights throughout my life. I hope you can join me in my fight by donating a small amount to IBJ today! Having worked there, I can tell you that your money will be used well to directly support criminal justice reformers and legal aid lawyers.

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 $1500 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!

This fundraiser was created by:

Akhila Kolisetty

In support of the US registered nonprofit

INTERNATIONAL BRIDGES TO JUSTICE

$1,274 raised

Goal: $1,500

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Create a More Just World by December 10th - Tim Scheu

	$30 The percentage of the population in the Phillipines that is below the poverty line
	$67 The percentage of prisoners who are still pretrial detainees
	$299 The meager pay that the average lawyer in the Phillipines earns in an entire month
	$1,282 The number of pretrial prisoners in the Phillipines who are still juveniles
	$7,231 The number of pretrial prisoners in the Phillipines who are women
	$ Other