PHA-Exch> FW: [phmusa] Jailed Indian activist doctor receives 2008 Jonathan Mann Award for Global Health and Human Rights

[Laura Turiano]

------ Forwarded Message
From: Darlena David <darlena at hesperian.org>
Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:11:32 -0700
To: "phmusa at lists.riseup.net" <phmusa at lists.riseup.net>
Subject: [phmusa] Jailed Indian activist doctor  receives  2008 Jonathan
Mann Award for Global Health and Human Rights

 The Global Health Council announced that the winner of the 2008 Jonathan
Mann Award for Global Health and Human Rights is Dr. Binayak Sen of Raipur,
Chhattisgarh, India.

Sen, a physician who helped establish a hospital serving poor mine workers
in the region, is an officer of the Peoples Union for Civil Liberties
(PUCL), a leading human rights organization in India. He has been imprisoned
in Raipur for nearly a year without trial as a result of allegations that he
violated state antiterrorism laws. Sen denies committing any crime.

The Global Health Council and several prominent global health organizations
have issued a statement of support for Sen (See link below.), requesting
that Indian authorities assure the restoration of due process, and find the
means to allow the doctor to receive his award in person in Washington, DC
on May 29th, 2008, at the 35th Annual International Conference on Global
Health. 

This 58-year-old pediatrician was selected by an international jury of
public health professionals for this prestigious award because of his years
of service to poor and tribal communities in India, his effective leadership
in establishing self-sustaining health care services where none existed, and
his unwavering commitment to civil liberties and human rights. In addition
to working with the PUCL, Sen and his wife, Dr. Ilina Sen, are the founders
of Rupantar, a community-based nongovernmental organization that has
trained, deployed and monitored the work of community health workers spread
throughout 20 villages. Rupantars activities include initiatives to counter
alcohol abuse and violence against women, and to promote food security.

Dr. Sen's accomplishments speak volumes about what can be achieved in very
poor areas when health practitioners are also committed community leaders,
said Dr. Nils Daulaire, president of the Global Health Council. He staffed a
hospital created by and funded by impoverished mine workers, and he has
spent his lifetime educating people about health practices and civil
liberties -- providing information that has saved lives and improved
conditions for thousands of people. His good works need to be recognized as
a major contribution to India and to global health; they are certainly not a
threat to state security.

Large areas of Chhattisgarh are embroiled in an armed conflict involving
rebels, the state government and law enforcement, and armed civilian
militias. Sen was detained on May 14, 2007, and accused of passing notes
from a rebel leader he was treating in jail to someone outside the prison.
Sen denies committing any crime and says his activities in the jail were
supervised by prison authorities.

Many organizations and prominent persons have protested Sens arrest and his
long imprisonment without trial. He was recently released from a period of
solitary confinement and has reportedly suffered health problems resulting
from his nearly year-long imprisonment.

The Mann Award is presented annually at the Global Health Councils
international conference to a practitioner who makes significant
contributions toward practical work in the field and in difficult
circumstances; highlights the linkage of health with human rights; works
predominantly in developing countries and with marginalized people; and
demonstrates serious and long-term commitment.

For the Statement of Support on Behalf of Dr. Binayak Sen issued by global
health and human rights organizations, see
http://www.globalhealth.org/news/article/9833
<http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnw/pl_usnw/storytext/jailed_indian_pedia
trician_wins2008_jonathan_mann_award_for_global_health_and_human_rights/2718
0772/SIG=11fovtjg8/*http://www.globalhealth.org/news/article/9833> .

For information about the Jonathan Mann Award for Global Health and Human
Rights, see http://www.globalhealth.org/conference/view_top.php3?id=746
<http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnw/pl_usnw/storytext/jailed_indian_pedia
trician_wins2008_jonathan_mann_award_for_global_health_and_human_rights/2718
0772/SIG=11tga01vf/*http://www.globalhealth.org/conference/view_top.php3?id=
746> .

The Global Health Council is the worlds largest membership alliance
dedicated to saving lives by improving health throughout the world. The
Council serves and represents public health organizations and professionals
working in more than 140 countries on six continents. www.globalhealth.org
<http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnw/pl_usnw/storytext/jailed_indian_pedia
trician_wins2008_jonathan_mann_award_for_global_health_and_human_rights/2718
0772/SIG=10uvq762d/*http://www.globalhealth.org/>

Laura Barnitz, Global Health Council

202.833.5900, x3204 or lbarnitz at globalhealth.org

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20080421/pl_usnw/jailed_indian_pediatrician_win
s2008_jonathan_mann_award_for_global_health_and_human_rights

 <http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20080421/pl_usnw/jailed_indian_pediatrician_w
ins2008_jonathan_mann_award_for_global_health_and_human_rights> SOURCE
Global Health Council


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Darlena David,
Hesperian Foundation - Publishing for Community Health and Empowerment
1919 Addison Street, Suite 304, Berkeley, CA  94704  USA
phone: 510-845-1447 ext.207     fax: 510-845-9141 email:
darlena at hesperian.org

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http://hesperian.typepad.com/weblog/**



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