The New York Coalition Against Torture (NYCAT) — a group of concerned doctors, psychologists, lawyers, students and citizens — was formed in response to the shocking human rights abuses and gross violations of health professional ethics that have taken place during the “war on terror.” The well-documented participation of doctors, psychologists and other health care professionals in the torture, abuse and interrogation of prisoners in US custody raises serious concerns about the integrity and the future of health care professions in this country.
Working in conjunction with the Center for Constitutional Rights, The Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture, and Physicians for Human Rights, NYCAT has been at the forefront of education and advocacy efforts intended to address this issue at the state level. One of the group’s primary goals is to see the passage of the Gottfried-Duane Anti-Torture Bill (S. 4495-A /A. 6665-B), which is pending in the New York State Legislature. This bill is the first of its kind in the nation and explicitly addresses the role of health professionals in the abusive treatment of prisoners.
The bill explicitly states that NY-licensed health professionals’ duty to do no harm applies to their relationships with all patients and employers, and affirms that they are prohibited from any involvement in torture or other abuse of prisoners. This can be a way to help health professionals resist unlawful instructions that may expose them to risk of criminal prosecution and civil damages lawsuits.
“As future doctors, we are committed to restoring trust in our profession and respect for the rule of law. We look forward to garnering additional support for the bill and to raising awareness about this critical ethical and human rights issue,” says Hana Akselrod, medical student and member of PHR’s active student chapter at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine
Today, NYCAT and interested medical students will go to Albany to meet with legislators to advocate for the Gottfried-Duane Anti-Torture Bill. They have been gathering signatures for the petition to demonstrate widespread support for the legislation, including at the PHR National Conference in February, and will present the petition today.
Show your support by sign the petition now.
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Posted in: Center for Constitutional Rights, Gottfried-Duane Anti-Torture Bill, NYCAT, New York Coalition Against Torture, Official PHR Posts, Student Blog, Students, Take Action, The Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture, Torture, ethics, health professionals, new york, petition
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Today, as we celebrate International Nurses Day, the health workforce crisis remains one of the greatest hurdles to realizing the right to health for all in developing countries.
The Global HEALTH Act can help. The GHA, introduced in Congress by Representative Barbara Lee on March 24, would provide $2 billion over five years to increase the number of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health workers in developing countries, and to improve primary health care for all. The bill not only authorizes new resources, it also calls for the creation of a US Global Health Strategy that will complement the goals of developing countries and ensure our aid money is effectively used to save the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.
That is why PHR is uniting with more than 15 other US organizations to hold a national Call-in Day TODAY to support the Global HEALTH Act. Be part of the movement. Tell your Representative to support Global Health by co-sponsoring this bill.
It’s easy. Call the Congressional Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Representative’s office (if you don’t know who your Rep. is, find out). Then, make your case. Use the script below, and/or bring your own experiences into the call:
Hi, my name is XXX and I live in Town, State. I am calling to encourage Representative XXX to co-sponsor HR 4933, The Global HEALTH Act, which will help fix broken health systems in developing countries. The Global HEALTH Act calls for the development of a US Global Health Strategy to harmonize aid, and provides $2 billion over 5 years to help countries in Africa hire, train and retain more doctors, nurses and other health workers. The Global HEALTH Act will save lives: I hope Rep. XXX will consider co-sponsoring this bill today.
As of today, the global health community has secured nine co-sponsors: Reps. John Conyers (MI), Lynn Woolsey (CA), Raul Grijalva (AZ), Keith Ellison (MN), John Garamendi (CA), Fortney Pete Stark (CA), Diane Watson (CA), Jesse Jackson, Jr. (IL) and Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC). Help us secure more.Commemorate International Nurses Day by taking action. Join thousands around the country today who are making a difference. Call your Representative and encourage them to co-sponsor the Global HEALTH Act today.
Posted in: GHA, Global HEALTH Act, Health, Health Rights Advocate, Official PHR Posts, Student Blog, Take Action
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As of today, the global health community has secured seven co-sponsors for the Global HEALTH Act: Reps. John Conyers (MI), Lynn Woolsey (CA), Raul Grijalva (AZ), Keith Ellison (MN), John Garamendi (CA), Fortney Pete Stark (CA) and Diane Watson (CA).
PHR wants to double this number — and double it again. To gain more support for the GHA, PHR is organizing a Global HEALTH Act National Call-in Day on May 12th, International Nurses Day.
So far, more than 15 organizations have pledged to participate. We’d love more. If your organization/school/workplace is interested in taking part, contact us at ghacallinday[at]phrusa[dot]org.
And checkout the Call-in Day toolkit (doc), which contains all the information you’ll need to organize a great call-in day.
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Posted in: Events, GHA, Global HEALTH Act, Health, Health Rights Advocate, Official PHR Posts, Student Blog, Take Action, national call in day
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The Global Health Act (House Resolution 4933) has been introduced in Congress by Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA). Now is the best time to garner support from our Representatives. Why not start by scheduling an in-district meeting for your Global Health Week of Action?
Meeting with government officials is easier than you think!
Contacting government officials lets you take an active role in influencing public policy. Meetings with constituents give policymakers the opportunity to learn about issues and make informed policy decisions. As a health professional student, you have a powerful voice to promote and protect human rights.
Things to Consider When Scheduling a Meeting
- Timing: Start calling the office a few weeks ahead of time, because it may take several calls or faxes to schedule an appointment. Ask for the scheduler’s name and the name of the appropriate aide. Find the contact information for your Representatives, then fax or email the meeting request. You can use our sample Meeting Request letter (.doc) as a starting point. It’s likely that you’ll meet with an aide, rather than the congressperson; your meeting will still have an impact on the policymaker.
- Participation: Two to four people is ideal. Include people who are from the legislator’s district or state who have some level of expertise on the issue, and people who are articulate, respectful, and confident.
- Preparation: Know your facts. Read the bill before you meet with your representative! Be able to explain, succinctly, why this issue is important to you. Practice and know who will say what. If you don’t know the answer to a question that arises, don’t worry: tell the staffer you will get back to then—a great way to ensure follow up and continued conversation after the meeting. Use the Global HEALTH Act fact sheet (pdf) to develop your talking points. Know as much as possible about the member’s background in general (especially which committees she or he sits on) and on your issue.
Tips for the Meeting – Remember the 4 Cs!
- Connection: Recognize past support of this issue or others. Chat about personal connections or relevant news. Be polite, respectful, and formal when addressing the member of Congress.
- Context: Give background info on the issue, why it’s so important, your connection to it (perhaps most important), and the Representative’s connection to it.
- Commitment: Do not be afraid to ask for what you want: “Can we count on your support for the 2010 Global Health Act?” If you don’t ask, you don’t know for sure their position.
- Catapult: End on a friendly note. Thank the member or aide. Get the card of the appropriate aide. Discuss the next steps for follow-up.
After you have met with your congressperson please complete the Meeting Report form (.doc) so PHR can follow up and leverage your work. These meetings can make a big difference. Email us at bcastro[at]phrusa[dot]org and set up an appointment today!
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Posted in: Barbara Lee, GHA, GHWA, Global HEALTH Act, Health, Official PHR Posts, Student Blog, Take Action, congress, global health week of action, strengthening health systems
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For the past six years, PHR Chapters across the US have led the annual Global Health Week of Action (GHWA) at their schools. Your GHWA can be part of a larger push for Health and Human Rights Education (HHRE) at your school, or it can be a short period of intense advocacy around a global health issue. Either way, you are educating others and encouraging them to act.
What are you doing for GHWA on your campus? We’ve got a couple ideas to get you started:
2010 Global HEALTH Act
A great option is promoting the passage of the 2010 Global HEALTH Act. Representative Barbara Lee will introduce the bill in the House of Representatives soon. As Helen Potts wrote in a recent post,
The bill’s consistent focus on equity, non-discrimination, participation and accountability indirectly promotes the incorporation of a human rights approach to health into the Strategy… It is essential that it obtain a large number of co-sponsors to demonstrate significant support for this legislation, which will help move this bill towards final passage. This is not only for the benefit of the populations in the countries receiving direct assistance but also for the benefit of the US. This bill has the potential to do more for the credibility of the US in the arena of human rights and global health than anything that has gone before.
During GHWA, set up a meeting with your Representatives to encourage them to sponsor the bill! If you’re not sure how, email Barbara at bcastro[at]phrusa[dot]org and she will help you arrange and prepare for a meeting. It’s a worthwhile experience. I’m planning to meet with Representative Michael Capuano in April, and you’re invited to join me.
Also, on April 7—World Health Day—please be ready to email your Representatives and encourage them to sponsor the bill!
Humanitarian needs of women and girls in Darfur
Another option for those who want to focus on the impact of conflict on health or ending gender-based violence, PHR recently released Joe Read’s Action Agenda for Realizing Treatment and Support for Women and Girls in Darfur. Since 2004, PHR has documented the systematic human rights abuses in Darfur, including displacement and killing. In March 2009, the Government of Sudan expelled 13 international NGOs who had provided lifesaving humanitarian assistance. A year later, the needs of women and girls are as urgent as ever. The Action Agenda has recommendations for addressing critical needs in Coordination, Humanitarian Access, and Programming.
The main action for a week focused on Darfur is to call the US Envoy to Sudan, Scott Gration, at 202-647-4000. You could create a call-in table: invite people to sit down, call General Gration, and urge him to increase funding for programs that protect and promote women’s rights and support survivors of sexual violence. You could also have a reading group on your campus meet to discuss the Action Agenda, or work with another student group to host a panel discussion or photo exhibit.
The GHWA Toolkit
Whatever topic you choose for your campus’ GHWA, you’ll find tips and resources in the new GHWA Toolkit.
Please take photos during your Week of Action to share with PHR and inspire other Chapters!
Posted in: Barbara Lee, Darfur, GHA, GHWA, GHWA Toolkit, Global HEALTH Act, Health, Official PHR Posts, Student Blog, Take Action, World Health Day, gender-based violence, global health week of action
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PHR’s “10,000 in 10” Campaign officially launches on December 1st—help us ensure the US ratifies CEDAW in 2010.
Why CEDAW? Why now?
- Suggestions that the US is a leader in human rights is questionable when the country is not a party to the main human rights treaties, including CEDAW;
- US calls for other countries to fulfill women’s human rights lack credibility when the US has not ratified the main women’s human rights treaty;
- Successive administrations would be under a legal human rights obligation to submit periodic reports on its implementation of the rights contained in CEDAW;
- US civil society could monitor and report on what the US government is doing to implement the human rights of women in this country. Called a ‘Shadow Report’, this report is submitted to the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (the Committee). The Committee welcomes this information to ensure that it is as well informed as possible;
- Individuals and groups can make complaints against the government to the Committee;
- The Committee on its own initiative can investigate grave or systemic in-country violations of women’s human rights.
The latter two procedures are only available when a country has accepted them. Hence, this would require the US ratifying the Optional Protocol to CEDAW.
If the US ratifies CEDAW, fulfillment of women’s human rights in the US would no longer be at the whim of different administrations. As the U.S. would be a party to CEDAW, people within the US could demand that any US administration fulfill the rights contained in the treaty.
Posted in: 10000 in 10, CEDAW, General Human Rights, Health, Health Rights Advocate, Take Action, Women, aids, convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women
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Last Friday, the PHR team delivered to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton a joint advocacy letter, urging that sexual and gender-based violence (SGV) programming be recognized as an urgent need in Sudan. Forty advocacy and human rights groups called on Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sudan Envoy Scott Gration to recognize the absence of vital SGV programming following the March 2009 expulsion of international humanitarian organizations and key Sudanese NGOs. The number of supporting organizations has since grown to more than 60.
The team from PHR met with General Gration’s office, and with the office of the Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues on Friday, to present the letter and advocate for the inclusion of SGV programs in the Sudan Policy benchmarks.
The elimination of SGV services in Sudan is a perfect storm of collateral damage: when the 16 international humanitarian organizations and NGOs were expelled, these programs — and equally importantly, the network of SGV-focused personnel and leadership — disappeared. In a climate where remaining staff and organizations were afraid to rebuild or renegotiate their contracts for fear of Government of Sudan retribution, services for survivors of sexual violence in Darfur collapsed.
Despite this, and despite the fine work of the State department on a number of gender-based violence issues, the issue of sexual violence was not explicitly recognized in the administration’s Sudan Policy review, nor was it included in the details of US strategic objective #1, which deals with the humanitarian situation in Darfur. It was, however, recognized by the UN panel of experts in the recent report released on the humanitarian situation in Darfur, and has been a key sticking point for activists in the US at the recent Pledge to Protect conference.
Today — just in time for the International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women on November 25 — PHR has launched a congressional action for advocates and activists to urge Senators and Representatives to join us in our call to the State department on this issue. Partnering with our co-signatories, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International USA, the Arab Coalition for Darfur, the Enough Project, Save Darfur Coalition and others, we continue to advocate for the restoration of services as basic as emergency assistance for injuries, documentation of injuries sustained during these brutal attacks, access to HIV/AIDS prophylaxis treatment, pregnancy testing and psychological and social support. We ask Hillary Rodham Clinton and General Gration not only to include SGV programs as a benchmark in the Sudan policy, but also:
- To ensure that renegotiation of technical agreements between humanitarian organizations and the Government of Sudan takes place, so that international humanitarian organizations and NGOs can incorporate or SGV programs into their authorized operations in Sudan.
- To monitor Government of Sudan obstruction of SGV services in Khartoum and on the ground: SGV services must be restored and made available to all IDP populations, including West and South Darfur, where humanitarian operations have historically functioned at a lower level than in North Darfur state.
- To support and facilitate coordination between aid agencies, camp residents and UNAMID gender desk officers. The recruitment of gender desk officers must involve camp residents, and the work of gender experts should fully utilize the expertise and resources of aid agencies as well as camp residents, to ensure the establishment of culturally competent services.
We need action to protect the rights of survivors in Darfur: please let your US Senators and Representative know.
(Cross-posted on DarfuriWomen.org)
Posted in: Conflict, Darfur, Health Rights Advocate, Human RIghts Watch, Take Action, UN, Women, amnesty international usa, arab coalition for darfur, enough project, hillary rodham clinton, international day to eliminate violence against women, khartoum, save darfur coalition, scott gration, sexual and gender based violence, sudan, united nations
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During his campaign, President Obama promised to end the ban on federal funding for syringe exchange programs.
Call President Obama TODAY at (202) 456-1414 or (202) 456-1111 and tell him to keep his promise to save lives.
This summer, the House of Representatives took a historic step by removing the ban on federal funding for needle and syringe exchange programs (SEPs). Now, the Senate must act, but they are not making this policy a priority.
Senators need to hear from President Obama that his Administration supports syringe exchange. Now is the time to urge President Obama to fulfill his campaign promise to end the ban and to urge the Senate to act.
SEPs promote health and human rights. More than a dozen scientific reviews of SEPs have shown that when implemented as part of a comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention strategy, SEPs help reduce HIV transmissions without increasing drug use.
Indeed, SEPs do more than provide clean syringes and properly dispose of used ones; they link people into the health care system and drug treatment programs that save lives.
President Obama’s leadership is key to moving this issue forward in the Senate. His support could help save the lives of thousands of people. 20 years is too long—help us end the ban today!
Call The White House Comment Line TODAY at (202) 456-1414 or (202) 456-1111 and tell Obama to fulfill his promise and END THE BAN.
Phone Script:
Tell the operator where you are from and if you are a health professional and/or have any specific expertise relevant to needle exchange, AIDS, and/or harm reduction. It is okay if you don’t have specific expertise—Obama needs to hear from everyone, in every state, about this issue!
Ask the operator to tell President Obama:
- The research is clear – syringe exchange programs work. The presence of syringe exchange programs in communities does not increase rates of drug use, nor does it lead to a rise in crime. What it does do: decrease transmission of HIV, Hepatitis C and other diseases.
- Now is the time for the President to make good on his promise to support lifting the ban on federal funding for syringe exchange. We are calling on President Obama to let key congressional members know that the White House supports Chairman Obey in fully revoking the ban on federal funding for syringe exchange.
- The President must also urge the Senate to refrain from adding any language or amendments to the Senate bill that would place undue restrictions on SEPs. The detrimental “1,000 Foot Rule” contained in the House bill may seem innocuous, but in reality it severely and unnecessarily limits the locations of SEPs. In some cases, the rule makes it impossible for urban communities to have needle exchange programs at all.
Posted in: General Human Rights, Health, Health Rights Advocate, House, Senate, Take Action, Women, aids, congress, needle exchange ban, obama, syringe exchange programs
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Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi applaud during President Barack Obama's address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber of the Capitol in Washington on February 24, 2009. (PABLO MARTINEZ MONSIVAIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Medical care is a human right, and the US health care system falls far short. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations with strong US engagement, specifically lists adequate medical care as a human right (Article 25).
Tomorrow, President Obama will address a joint session of Congress to press our Senators and Representatives to advance meaningful health care reform. Therefore, it is essential that we remind our legislators now that crucial human rights are at stake.
So today, tell your US Representative and Senators that healthcare reform must address human rights.
Any reform process must urgently address:
- the plight of the uninsured
- personal bankruptcy due to the cost of illness
- ethnic disparities in delivery of care
- lack of access to quality health care
- denial of care to undocumented workers
All of the above are flaws of the current system and all are morally untenable human rights violations.
Tell Congress to ensure that health care reform lives up to principles derived from the internationally recognized right to health.
Physicians for Human Rights does not take a position on the specific details of existing reform proposals. That said, we strongly believe that any effective plan must respect the internationally recognized right to the highest attainable standard of health.
Posted in: General Human Rights, Health, Health Rights Advocate, Take Action, article 25, bankruptcy, barack obama, ethnic disparities, health insurance, udhr, undocumented workers, universal declaration of human rights, us congress, us representative, us senator
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