Cuba:Prisoner of conscience Dr. García Paneque lacks proper medical treatment

The Benenson Society is running a campaign to highlight the plight of Cuban prisoner of conscience Dr. García Paneque who languishes in prison in Cuba. García is a former surgeon who was arrested March 18, 2003, during the "black spring" roundup of 75 journalists, human rights activists and other dissidents.

Dr. García Paneque is a medical doctor and independent journalist from the eastern province of Las Tunas, Cuba, who was arrested in March 2003 as part of a major crackdown on peaceful dissent in Cuba. He is serving a 24-year sentence for his legitimate, non-violent activities.
Dr Garcia is recognised as a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International, Reporters without Borders and Human Watch First
Dr. García Paneque’s health has been perilous for nearly four years. He suffers from chronic diarrhoea and poor intestinal absorption, resulting in chronic malnutrition. His weight has dropped by nearly half since his incarceration—from 190 lbs to an emaciated 110 lbs. He has not received proper medical treatment and has not been allowed to consult with independent medical professionals.
He can be contacted at the following address:

Dr. Jose Luis Garcia Paneque
Prision Provincial Las Mangas (Hombres)
Mayor Rigor
Bayamo
Cuba

Violence Against Christians in India:Please help to halt the Hindu extremist onslaught

There is growing concern about the upsurge in violence against the Christian minority in India.
In the Times of London :"Extremist Hindu groups offered money, food and alcohol to mobs to kill Christians and destroy their homes, according to Christian aid workers in the eastern state of Orissa. .....The US-based head of a Christian organisation that runs several orphanages in Orissa – one of India’s poorest regions – claims that Christian leaders are being targeted by Hindu militants and carry a price on their heads. “The going price to kill a pastor is $250 (£170),” Faiz Rahman, the chairman of Good News India, said.... "

According to the Benenson Society which has already campaigned about the situation in Orissa state "the situation appears to be deteriorating across India. Burning of homes and churches, rape and murder, and forced conversions to Hinduism are becoming ever more common, with some State governments apparently doing very little to prevent such violence. The All India Christian Council said the toll after nearly two months of sporadic violence has reached 59 dead and 50,000 displaced. Other religious minorities – Muslims, Sikhs and Buddhists could all find themselves under pressure if such religious intolerance is allowed to thrive. In the last couple of days there has been growing violence against Muslims – in Andhra Pradesh the latest clash between Muslims and Hindus left three people dead."

It is incumbent upon the international Christian community to rally behind India's persecuted Christians. Log on to Benenson for details of the organization's campaign against persecution in India. Please join this campaign. Make your voice heard before it is too late.

Benenson Society is a worthy alternative to Amnesty International and adheres to principles advocated by Peter Benenson

The decision of Amnesty International in 2007 -at a meeting in Mexico- to support access to abortion for women in cases of rape, incest or violence has angered pro-life members. Catholic schools in Australia, Canada, Scotland, Ireland, England and the US have left the organisation. Protestants have also resigned. Fr Chris Middleton principal of St Aloysius’ College, Milsons Point, Australia publicly condemned Amnesty's new stance and sought a reversal without success. St Aloysius' College Milson's Point and Loreto Kirribilli opposed Amnesty’s decision and severed their association with the organization. This was the genesis of the formation of the
Benenson Society.

The Benenson Society was first formed by students at St Aloysius College Milson's Point and Loreto Kirribilli last year. The society aims to provide students with the opportunity to campaign for human rights, directly lobbying governments on behalf of prisoners of conscience, for the end of torture and the death penalty, and asserting the rights of all to basic freedoms.
The new society's charter was put together in consultation with individuals around Australia, including staff and students at Loreto and St Aloysius.

In just a short time, the Society has grown rapidly not alone in Australia but overseas. Many schools in Australia are now members. Choosing the name ‘Benenson' indicates the schools' desire to stick closely to the founding principles of Amnesty International founder Peter Benenson. The new group has as its symbol a stylised white rose, inspired by the White Rose Society- a group of Catholic and Protestant students and staff at Munich University who opposed Nazism the Second World War by writing letters and pamphlets and were persecuted or killed for their convictions.

Membership is open to students through forming chapters in schools, colleges and universities that sign on to the Charter of the Benenson society. Associate membership may be held by teachers and others interested in supporting the work, as well as by members who finish their studies and wish to remain associated with the Society

Find out more about the Society, and join online at The Benenson Society