PHA-Exchange> Urgent request for support - global petition

[amitchell at Oxfam.org.uk]

YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE - US TRADE POLICY ROBS POOR PEOPLE OF THEIR HEALTH!

 Third World Network, Oxfam International and Health Gap Coalition have
 launched a global online petition which we hope will demonstrate the
 strength of global public concern about World Trade Organisation patent
 rules that put the profits of powerful drug companies before public health
 in poor countries.

 The petition is addressed to George Bush as a leading international figure
 whose government is blocking changes and clarifications to the TRIPS
 Agreement that would mean cheaper medicines for people in developing
 countries.

 The petition will run from September 1st through to the WTO Ministerial in
 Quatar in November where it will be handed over to the US Government and
 can be viewed now at http://oxfam.org.uk/unclesam

 In order for it to be successful the petition needs to attract mass
 support - we estimate that we have to gain at least 250,000 signatures
 before Doha to have impact! This in turn requires the support of
 individuals and organisations across the world.

 As an individual you can support the camapign by signing the petition
 online now at http://www.oxfam.org.uk/unclesam/ and telling all your
 friends and colleagues to do the same!

 Your organisation can also support the global petition in one or more of
 the following ways?

 1. Advertise and put a link to the petition on your website - the petition
 page is at http://www.oxfam.org.uk/unclesam/

 2. Circulate details of the petition to member organisations, alliances
 and networks

 3. Encourage supporters to sign the petition and encourage member
 organisations and alliances to promote the petition to their supporters or
 partners

 4. Endorse the petition by sending your organisations name and contact
 details to amitchell at oxfam.org.uk.  We will display the names of all
 organisations that endorse the petition on the petition site.

 A variety of resources have been produced to help promote the petition
 including:

 An 'Uncle Sam' banner advert or campaign logo is available if you want
 make your website link more visual. The adverts can be downloaded from the
 petition site. To access the banner advert and for further information on
 how to download it onto your own website go to:
 http://oxfam.org.uk/e-campaigns/unclesam/download.html

 Offline materials including posters and A4 petition sheets are also
 available. Posters can be ordered from amitchell at oxfam.org.uk and the
 petition sheets can be downloaded from the website at:
 http://oxfam.org.uk/e-campaigns/unclesam/download.html


 I hope you and your organistaion will be able to support the petition. If
 you have any queries please contact Anna Mitchell at Oxfam GB on +44 1865
 313198 or at amitchell at oxfam.org.uk


 Anna Mitchell
 Oxfam Great Britain

Oxfam works with others to find lasting solutions to poverty and suffering.

Oxfam GB is a member of Oxfam International, a company limited by guarantee and registered in England No. 612172.
Registered office: 274 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 7DZ.
Registered charity No. 202918.

Visit the web site at http://www.oxfam.org.uk

WTO patent rules are pushing the price of essential medicines out of the
reach of poor people.  Find out more and sign our on-line petition calling
for cheaper medicines on http://www.oxfam.org.uk/unclesam