Create a More Just World by December 10th - LIAM HANLON

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.

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Every day, IBJ Fellows like Rommel 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.

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 $1,000 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!