In the past 2+ years that I have been Director of the Health Action AIDS campaign, I’ve been so inspired by the commitment of our health professional advocates to fighting the AIDS epidemic and promoting US global AIDS policy based on sound science and human rights. As our political environment, our global economy and our understanding of the AIDS epidemic develops with time, Health Action AIDS advocacy has always been on the forefront of shaping global health policy.The impact and lessons learned from the Health Action AIDS campaign have led PHR to further explore the connection between health and human rights. Responding to the global AIDS epidemic has reinforced our knowledge that an equitable and accessible health system is core to improving the health of the worlds’ most vulnerable.In response to the realization that global health cannot be improved until an approach to health takes into account the combination of all components of the health sector, PHR is launching an initiative that will explore the implementation of a comprehensive, right to health approach to health systems strengthening.Indeed, we have come a long way since May 2002, when PHR first convened leading medical, nursing and public health experts at the first John Lloyd Summit on HIV/AIDS in Stony Point, New York.The question under consideration: would it be possible to mobilize US health professionals to advocate for a comprehensive, rights-based response to the global AIDS epidemic.At that time, access to lifesaving medications was changing the course of AIDS in the US, while the epidemic continued to ravage the developing world, especially sub-Saharan Africa. The challenge put forth by the group was: “Who is going to say ‘no more’ to a continent dying?”Questions of equity, access to treatment and the responsibility of health professionals were considered, ultimately identifying US indifference to the global epidemic as the major problem that needed addressing. Was it feasible for PHR to rally the powerful voices of health professionals in response to that indifference and launch a national campaign to bring awareness and outrage to a growing epidemic that was a product of pervasive human rights violations?The answer: the launch of PHR’s Health Action AIDS Campaign.Eight years later, the Health Action AIDS campaign has helped revolutionize the US response to global health and highlighted the powerful role that health professionals can play in the development and implementation of health policies.The campaign’s success has been significant and you have been central to that success. You willingness to lend your voice and expertise to Health Action AIDS campaign priorities has helped shape HIV/AIDS policy and programming that has saved literally millions of lives.Over the next few months, our Health Action AIDS campaign will begin the transition to this new, broader Right to Health initiative. Although we planned to devote more time to this campaign transformation, lack of continued funding has required us to expedite the process. At the same time we recognize that the AIDS epidemic is far from over, thus, PHR’s commitment to many of the Health Action AIDS priorities will remain strong.We will keep you apprised of this work and look forward to your continued engagement as we move our agenda forward.

The current H1N1 swine flu epidemic demonstrates the critical need to promote international cooperation in combating infectious diseases. Without open communication among scientists and public health specialists, lethal pandemic disease can unexpectedly erupt. In Iran, however, participating in such scientific exchange can land a doctor in jail.The Iranian Revolutionary Court recently sentenced Arash and Kamiar Alaei, brothers who are world-renowned HIV/AIDS physicians, to six and three years imprisonment, respectively, for fomenting a “velvet revolution” while garnering Western support at international conferences. Both physicians participated in global health symposia, but neither ever spoke of politics or security or revolution. Instead, they acted as public health ambassadors and celebrated their love of Iranian culture.The Alaei doctors won praise from the World Health Organization (WHO) for helping pioneer HIV treatment and prevention in Iran, particularly among injecting drug users. According to the United Nations, 2.8% of Iranian adults are heroin addicts—the world’s highest rate. Sharing needles fuels the spread of HIV. The Alaei brothers championed harm reduction and worked with Iran’s drug addicts, prisoners and sex workers to prevent transmission. To combat the spread of HIV, they distributed sterile needles and prescribed methadone to treat opioid dependence. They also dispersed condoms and counseled their patients in safe-sex practices.In addition to their work in Iran, the Alaei brothers trained Afghan and Tajik medical workers and encouraged regional cooperation among 12 Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries. Their efforts improved the practice of doctors in the region, advanced HIV medical science, and helped earn Iran recognition as a model of best practice by the WHO. Forward-thinking clerics within the Government of Iran even extolled their work on harm reduction and HIV prevention.What then is behind the imprisonment of two Iranian doctors whose public health expertise the global community desperately needs? Tenuous US-Iranian relations.During a one-day secret trial in January 2009, the Iranian government charged the Alaei brothers under article 508 of the Islamic Penal Code for having “communications with an enemy government”—that is, the United States. The judicial court condemned the Alaei doctors of having ties to the CIA and being funded by the State Department—accusations that both the US government and the Alaei brothers deny. Similarly, despite US pleas to the Iranian government, the same judicial court last month convicted American journalist, Roxana Saberi, for espionage (but unexpectedly released her on Monday). Further, the Iranian government contends that the US has illegally detained two of its diplomats since December 2006, when US forces raided an Iranian consulate in Iraq.As the Obama Administration attempts to engage the Islamic Republic of Iran, President Mahmoud Ahmadinajad seems intent on undermining any diplomatic overtures. In the meantime, Kamiar and Arash have languished in Tehran’s Evin prison since June 2008 awaiting their final appeal, due this week.Mr. Ahmadinejad would do well to heed his own advice as when he asked the newly elected President Obama “to eradicate oppression and to do justice” at home. The Iranian government must release Drs. Kamiar and Arash Alaei so they may continue their vital work in promoting an international cooperative response to HIV/AIDS prevention and saving the lives of many Iranians living with this disease.

The Global Day of Action for the Doctors Alaei has launched with a coast to coast media blitz. The New York Times, Boston Globe and LA Times all called for the release of the Alaeis in Editorials today. The New York Times pointed out the treacherous working condition for professionals in Iran and called the Alaeis' trial unfair and their sentences "horrifying". The Boston Globe wrote:

"If Iran's leaders want to convey a message of conciliation and justice, they should have (Arash and Kamiar Alaei) exonerated."

Media coverage of the case is world-wide. BBC Persia has interviewed PHR's Washington Director John Bradshaw, and the case is being covered by Italian Press, Radio Free Europe and more.Want to help draw attention the Alaeis? Surf the blogs and make comments on articles mentioning the Alaeis, and/or write letters to the editor at national and international news agencies about the Alaeis, urging their release.Roxana Saberi's release yesterday has shifted attention to the Alaeis just as they are about to exhaust their legal options. Iran tied her release to the concept of Islamic kindness: it's time for Iran to extend that kindness to the Alaeis, so they can continue their critical fight against AIDS in Iran.Join the virtual vigil at IranFreeTheDocs.org 11-1:00 today to hear from and chat with people around the world, and stand in solidarity with the Alaeis.

While the international community celebrates the release of detained US journalist Roxana Saberi, there is still continuing vigilance over the unjust imprisonments of Drs. Kamiar and Arash Alaei. These Iranian brothers are world-renowned HIV/AIDS physicians who were imprisoned since June by the Iranian government on unsubstantiated charges of communicating with an “enemy government.”Tomorrow, on May 12, Physicians for Human Rights and a coalition of organizations from more than 16 countries will hold a Global Day of Action calling on the Iranian government to drop the charges and immediately release Kamiar and Arash Alaei. Participants from around the world will make statements to Iranian authorities and join a live webcast of vigils and events on an interactive website, IranFreetheDocs.org.The Alaei brothers traveled the world to share Iran’s model of HIV prevention and treatment, not to recruit people to foment a "velvet revolution,” as alleged by the Iranian government. Such allegations hurt the future of public health and indicate a dangerous trend toward punishing health professionals for working in the US.Sarah Kalloch, Director of Outreach for PHR, said:

Physicians for Human Rights believes that treating AIDS is not a crime: it’s good medicine. Just as Iran conflated freedom of the press with espionage in the trial of Saberi, Iran has equated public health diplomacy with treason in the case of the Alaeis. This is a terribly dangerous stance in an era of global pandemics which require open medical collaboration to save lives.

Jonathan Hutson, Chief Communications Officer at PHR, said:

The Alaeis are on their final appeal. Health workers and human rights advocates from 129 countries have signed a petition calling for their release. It’s time for Iran to stand up and protect freedom of science—and the lives of Iranians—by releasing the Alaeis.

In January, Dr. Kamiar Alaei and his brother Dr. Arash Alaei were sentenced to prison terms of three and six years, respectively, in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison. At no point has the Iranian prosecutor made public any shred of evidence to support his contention that the brothers were involved in any international activity other than the fight against global AIDS.According to sources close to the Alaei brothers’ case, the appellate court received their appeals on March 17 and the following day—without a hearing—summarily rejected their appeals and upheld their sentences.Their attorney, Massoud Shaffiie, filed a final appeal on May 7 to Iran’s judiciary chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahrudi under Article 118 of the Iranian Constitution.Hutson continued:

The case of these world-renowned HIV/AIDS physicians is part of a crackdown on international scientific and academic exchange which undermines efforts of all who seek to treat global AIDS and protect the health of the Iranian people. Their imprisonment robs the world of two talented physicians and has a chilling effect on public health dialogue and diplomacy worldwide. It appears that the jailing of people on trumped-up charges has more to do with appeasing the conservatives in advance of Iran’s national elections in June.

Dr. Kamiar Alaei is a doctoral candidate at the SUNY Albany School of Public Health in Albany, New York and was expected to resume his studies there in the fall of 2008. In 2007, he received a Master of Science degree in Population and International Health from the Harvard School of Public Health.Dr. Arash Alaei is the former director of the International Education and Research Cooperation of the Iranian National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. Since 1998, the Drs. Alaei have been carrying out HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention programs, particularly focused on harm reduction for injecting drug users.In addition to their work in Iran, the Alaei brothers have held training courses for Afghan and Tajik medical workers and have worked to encourage regional cooperation among 12 Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries. Their efforts expanded the expertise of doctors in the region, advanced the progress of medical science, and helped earn Iran recognition as a model of best practice by the World Health Organization.

PHR's senior global health policy adviser, Eric Friedman had a powerful letter in?yesterday's New York Times about President?Obama's FY10 budget announcement last week:

President?Obama plans to backtrack from a campaign pledge on significantly increased?global AIDS financing. Planned increases for other areas in global health,?while welcome, fall far short of the investments required to achieve the United?Nations Millennium Development Goals despite the president's express commitment?to them.

The greater investment in?global health must scale up funding for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS?Relief (PEPFAR) to meet the levels authorized by Congress last year in the?PEPFAR reauthorization. Congress?authorized $48 billion for PEPFAR over?five years with the goals of treating at least 3 million people with HIV,?preventing 12 million new infections, caring for 12 million people, including 5?million orphans and vulnerable children, and training and retaining at least?140,000 new health workers.Health Action AIDS Advisor?Dr. Wendy Johnson also responded, with a letter to the Seattle Times.

During the two years I?spent working in Mozambique,?I saw the deep gratitude of Africans across the continent toward the people of?the U.S.?for their commitment and solidarity. The repercussions of this broken promise?could reverberate for years, potentially wiping out many of the hard-won gains?of the past five years.

PHR was also disappointed at?the Obama administration's inaction on?syringe exchange funding with the FY10?budget release. Paola Barahona, senior global health policy advocate of PHR, spoke to the San Francisco Chronicle.

We hoped that the president would seize the first?opportunity for lifting federal restrictions on this life-saving prevention?strategy.

President Obama has?repeatedly expressed his support for lifting the ban; he pledged during the?campaign, the transition and after the Inauguration to take action on this?issue.PHR worked to secure?provisions in the PEPFAR reauthorization to address health care worker?shortages, to integrate HIV/AIDS care into women's health programs and to?support evidence-based HIV prevention programs and looks forward to working?with the?Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator to implement these initiatives.

Mobilizing health professionals has given us the distinct honor to work with some of the greatest nursing voices in the country. Nurses play a critical role in our Health Action AIDS campaign. Often on the front lines of the AIDS epidemic, nurses bring to the campaign their deep expertise and understanding of the scientific, social and political complexities of the epidemic.PHR’s Health Action AIDS Campaign Director, Pat Daoust, was recently honored by her peers for her tremendous leadership in the nursing field. The Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing awarded her the Theta Alpha Graduate Nursing Leadership Award. Over the last two years, the Health Action AIDS campaign has benefited tremendously from Pat’s leadership, passion and indefatigableness.As we honor our own on International Nurses Day, we would also like to take a moment to recognize the tremendous power of our nurse members in the health and human rights movement worldwide. Thank you for your tireless and inspiring work!Let’s show our appreciation to our nurse colleagues by signing the Statement on the Right of Nurses to Health and Safety today.This global call to action calls attention to the need for workplace health and safety measures for nurses and health care workers around the world. Your endorsement will help national and local nursing and health worker organizations to more effectively demand occupational health and safety measures.?Support this important initiative, launched at the International AIDS Conference in Mexico City last year, in partnership with the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care.

Almost every day for the past six weeks new information has emerged about abusive interrogations conducted by the US military and intelligence agencies during the Bush Administration. Despite this gathering torrent, apologists for Bush-era decision makers are urging the American people to turn the page—and quickly—on this sordid chapter in our history.Into this fray step a few intrepid voices of reason in Washington and elsewhere. The dean of measured reasonableness is Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). Sen. Whitehouse urges us to make sure that all the facts are in before anything is off the table, including prosecutions of those who may be found to have violated the law:

Our nation bears responsibility to learn from the mistakes of this dark episode. Even if criminal prosecutions should not result, Congress, for sure, and, I believe, the American public must ultimately know what really happened behind the sanitized legal descriptions of individual techniques, and in what conditions, intensity and duration. This accounting will not be easy or proud, but it will help show the world that the America it knew and counted on is back.

The Senator is right. We must give Congress’s investigative committees, a non-partisan Commission of Inquiry, and, for that matter, journalists and bloggers, the time that’s necessary to investigate the dark corners of this episode so the American people know the facts. Nothing less will ensure that it can’t happen again. In Sen. Whitehouse’s elegant words:

There is no bomb or army that can match the power of America's moral standing in the world. Reclaiming it is vital.

Yesterday the lawyer for Drs. Kamiar and Arash Alaei filed a final appeal of their sentencing under article 18 of Iran’s Constitution. This is their last big chance to have their day in court, be acquitted of the charges and resume their lifesaving HIV/AIDS work in Iran and elsewhere.Next week, May 12 will be an?international day of solidarity for the Drs Alaei. People all over the world will stand up and say with one voice that?“Treating AIDS is Not a Crime.”Vigils are taking place in more than 16 countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, Ukraine, Türkiye, Argentina, Mexico and the United States. You can participate in this international day of solidarity with the Alaeis no matter where you are.

• Send a letter to the Iranian Embassy in your Country, release a statement from your organization or mail a letter to an Iranian policy-maker on May 12. Here is a sample?letter and statement you can use, including addresses for some Iranian policy-makers.
• If you are in Washington DC or New York City, join one of our vigils. See these blog posts for all of the details for the vigils in?NYC or?DC.
• Join our?Virtual Vigil for the Alaeis on May 12 from 11am-1pm EST (GMT -4:00). We will be streaming live video from the vigil locations in NYC and DC. You’ll also be able to chat with PHR organizers and other participants from around the world.
• Organize a vigil at the Iranian Embassy in your Country or some other location in your community. You can send us video and photos and even stream your vigil live to the world through our website.
• Sign our new petition asking the Head of the Iranian Judiciary to drop the charges and?ask friends and colleagues to sign the petition.

Let us know you are participating in the Day of Action for the Alaeis by?filling out this simple webform.(Cross-posted on IranFreeTheDocs.org.)

Today ProPublica and Salon.com have posted online emails from the list-serve of the 2005 APA ethics task force on national security interrogations (PDF). The internal APA documents indicate that the APA developed its ethics policy to conform with Pentagon guidelines governing psychologist participation in interrogations.Physicians for Human Rights is calling for an independent, outside investigation of the American Psychological Association (APA). PHR also calls on the Pentagon's Inspector General to investigate whether any federal employees exerted influence over the APA's Presidential Task Force on Psychological Ethics and National Security (PENS).Steven Reisner, PhD, PHR's Advisor for Psychologogical Ethics said:

These serious allegations require an independent investigation to determine whether APA leadership engaged in unethical conduct. The American public deserves to know if there were inappropriate contacts or conflicts of interest between APA officials and the Pentagon. In 2005 PHR first called for the APA's ethics policy on interrogations to be rescinded. Now is the time for the APA to replace those flawed guidelines with standards that put a psychologist's ethical obligations to human rights principles ahead of following orders.

PHR has long been critical of the APA's PENS policy on psychologist involvement in interrogations. There needs to be, instead, a "bright line" prohibition against health professional participation in interrogations.Following the Senate Armed Services Committee report on detainee abuse by the Department of Defense, we have confirmation that psychologists rationalized, designed, supervised and implemented the Bush Administration's torture program. Nathaniel Raymond, Director of PHR's Campaign Against Torture, said:

The Senate Armed Services Committee report confirms that psychologists were central to the Bush Administration's use of torture. In the context of these revelations, the American public needs to know why a supposedly independent ethics policy was written by some of the very personnel allegedly implicated in detainee abuse.

Further Reading

• PHR Calls for Investigation of American Psychological Association’s Ties to Pentagon
• APA internal PENS list-serve documents (PDF; hosted by ProPublica)

I am pleased to invite you to a PHR training for health professionals on how to diagnose, evaluate and document the physical and psychological after-effects of torture and other severe human rights violations. This is a great opportunity to gain a thorough introduction to working with asylum seekers or to enhance your skills.

Aiding Survivors of Torture: Medical and Psychological Documentation of Asylum Seekers

Saturday, June 20, 2009

8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

The George Washington University

School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ross Hall

2300 Eye Street, NW

Washington, D.C. 20037

 

 

• Breakfast and lunch provided.
• Space is limited, so preference will be given to board-certified and state-licensed health professionals.
• Please register by Friday, June 12, 2009. While there is no cost to you, registration IS required.
• PHR has reserved a number of hotel rooms at a discounted rate that are within walking distance of the GWU School of Medicine.
• A limited number of travel scholarships are available for health professionals who agree to provide a minimum of 2 forensic evaluations for low-income or indigent noncitizens held at area detention centers. Contact Jennifer Bald (jbalde@phrusa.org) for more information.
• See the event information page for more details on the day.

We look forward to seeing you at this important training event. Please register today!