Create a More Just World By December 10th - Jesse Blaisdell

John Bosco Bugingo is lawyer and IBJ Fellow based in Kigali, Rwanda. John Bosco risks his life daily to defend the legal rights of Rwandans who have been detained and tortured - people who have no way to defend themselves.

John Bosco grew up in Uganda during years of genocide and since he was a child has looked up to lawyers as symbols of intelligence and wit. When he left Uganda for Rwanda in 1996, he knew it was time for him to pursue his legal career.

A Ugandan acquaintance of John Bosco’s was a pre-trial prisoner for four and a half months in one of Kigali's prisons with no access to a lawyer. He spoke English and Luganda (a native Ugandan language) but did not speak enough Kinyarwanda to talk to the police. His ordeal started when he received a police summons. He voluntarily appeared at Remera Police station, and, after a brief interrogation, he was detained pending investigations. After 3 days he was sent to Kimironko Prison, because not having a proper address, the police thought he would not show up for his trial. He spent 4 and half months in prisons that hold twice as many prisoners as they were designed for.

When John Bosco finally heard about this situation he had to take the case. Immediately, he set a court date and secured his friends release for lack of evidence and unlawful detention without trial.

John Bosco had only met this young man once at a mutual friends’ place and given him his business card. The young man left Rwanda saying if it were not for John Bosco his life would have had ended in prison.

John Bosco 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.
………………………………………………………………………………………………

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 $300 between now and December 10, 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 10th – contribute now!