James Orbinski

Since hearing Romeo Dallaire speak a couple of months ago, and reading his book, I've been wanting to learn more about the Rwandan genocide. Yesterday's Globe and Mail had an interesting interview with Dr. James Orbinski, former president of Medicins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders), who worked alongside Dallaire during the genocide. He had the following to say about how he dealt with the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) he suffered:

In contemporary Western culture and, most particularly, in North American culture, there's a deep tendency to medicalize what are, in fact, political and existential questions. Which is not to say that there aren't medical dimensions to the traumatic experience. … But the real question is what do you do with what you now know, and for me, the choice was very clear: that I will do everything I can to confront a political system that allows for a genocide to take place.

The article further quotes him as saying:

This thin veneer of civility that allows for relative peace and prosperity here, is kept alive by people who … constantly challenge and reassert the very basic ideas – that you respect people, that even your enemies you will not torture, that you have a duty as a human being to ensure that civilians who are suffering as a consequence of a war that you are engaged in have basic humanitarian rights.

He is currently promoting his book An Imperfect Offering: Humanitarian Action in the 21st Century and will be speaking on the following dates:

- May 1, Toronto, Church of the Holy Trinity (presented by Pages Books and Magazines), 10 Trinity Square, 416-598-1447.

- May 4, Vancouver, Capilano College Performing Arts Theatre, 2055 Purcell Way, 604-990-7810.

- May 13, Waterloo, Ont., Knox Presbyterian Church (presented by Words Worth Books), 50 Erb St. W., 519- 884-2665.

I'm kicking myself that I can't make it to see him in Waterloo (or even Toronto) but if you get the chance, please consider going. I'm sure it will be an informative evening for anyone interested in humanitarian work.

South African Dock Workers Refuse to Unload Arms

In South Africa, dock workers refused to unload a Chinese shipment of arms headed for Zimbabwe. They were joined in these efforts by church leaders and other organizations. The ship is now expected to head for Angola in an attempt to unload the shipment and have it flown to Zimbabwe. Levy Mwanawasa, the president of Zambia, has spoken out and encouraged countries in the region not to allow the ship to dock. China has said it may have the ship return to China. (News story)

Avaaz has put together a petition which will be launched at a press conference in Johannesburg later this week. This is the text of the petition:

Petition to SADC leaders and governments throughout Africa and the world: We, the undersigned, call for your support preventing any weapons shipments from reaching Zimbabwe until the crisis is resolved. We believe that, if delivered, these weapons would likely be used to violate the human rights of Zimbabweans, and we support the efforts of ordinary citizens and African trade unionists to prevent their transit through neighbouring countries. This shipment highlights the urgent need for a strong international arms trade treaty, and the continuing violence demands that all regional and global leaders act to protect human rights.

The dock workers have given Zimbabwe a ray of hope. All it takes for you is a click to show your support. While I was writing this, the number of signatures doubled, from around 76,000 to 156,147. Please sign the petition now.

Today's Tip from My Daily Peace

My Daily Peace is a newsletter I subscribe to, put out by Mir Movement which sends out daily tips on how to increase peace in the world. I wanted to share the tip I received today:

The world will not get to be more peaceful if we wait for everyone else to make it that way.

There is always *something* each of us can do. For me, one thing is this blog, where I can share my ideas and concerns with others. Watch for more suggestions on what *you* can do.

Update on Zimbabwe Petition

Today's post is a copy of an email I received from Avaaz this morning:

Dear friends,

The Zimbabwe crisis is spinning even further out of control, but the international response is gaining steam.

In less than a week, more than 120,000 people from 215 countries and territories--including thousands from across Africa--have signed the Avaaz petition demanding the release of the election results. On Wednesday, as world leaders enter the United Nations for a special summit chaired by South Africa, a plane hired by Avaaz will soar above them pulling a massive aerial banner reading "MBEKI: TIME TO ACT--DEMOCRACY FOR ZIMBABWE."

To make this message count, can you help us reach 150,000 signatures by the end of the day? Forward this email to your friends and family, and urge them to sign the petition at this link:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/democracy_for_zimbabwe/20.php?cl=76881680

Yesterday, the Zimbabwe High Court ruled against requiring the immediate release of the results of the March 29 Presidential election. In response, opposition called for a nationwide strike, and Mugabe deployed police throughout the country.[1]

All of this came just after South African President Thabo Mbeki--who, more than anyone else in the world, could influence Mugabe's actions--said on Saturday that "there is no crisis in Zimbabwe."[2]

But Mbeki isn't off the hook just yet. Tomorrow (Wednesday), he will chair a special United Nations Security Council meeting, where diplomats have promised to raise the Zimbabwe crisis.[3] If he looks up as he enters the United Nations headquarters, Mbeki will see a 280 square metre (3000 square foot) banner amplifying the voices of Avaaz members around the world--and if he doesn't see it then, you can be sure he'll see it in the newspapers the next day. International press have already begun to report on the planned fly-over of the banner.

Throughout the day, Avaaz will update reporters in Southern Africa and at the United Nations on the growth of the petition. If all of us forward this email to friends, co-workers, and relatives, we can add tens of thousands of new signatures in one day, and show Mbeki and Mugabe that the world is watching--and supporting the people of Zimbabwe as they demand democracy.

It's easy to sign at this link:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/democracy_for_zimbabwe/20.php?cl=76881680

This Friday, the 18th of April, marks Zimbabwe's Day of Independence from colonial rule. Amidst the worsening poverty and danger, civil society organisations across Zimbabwe are gearing up for nonviolent resistance to Mugabe's regime, calling for local actions and urging supporters to wear white in solidarity. And Zimbabwean media organisations--many now operating outside the borders--are broadcasting news about the international support that Zimbabwe's people are receiving.

Mugabe was once the hero of Zimbabwe's liberation. Now his own people embody the principles he once championed. For those of us around the world, it is our privilege and our responsibility to stand with them.

With hope,

Ben, Ricken, Galit, Paul, Milena, Graziela, Pascal, Iain, and Milena--the Avaaz.org team

Blogging in Support of Tibet

A fellow blogger, Miladysa, posted the other day about what people can do about the situation in Tibet. She suggested that bloggers post this flag in support, which I encourage you to consider doing as well, if you have a blog of your own. Be sure to send her a comment so that you can also stand up and be counted along with the others that are joining her.

While I'm on the subject of supporting Tibet, I ask you to check out Boycott Made In China. There's a lot of information there. If you have questions about why or how to get involved with this boycott, this FAQ page has a long list of well thought out answers. I've been trying to at least increase my awareness of where things are made, and where a choice is available, I choose not to buy those made in China. Or ask myself if I really need the item.

Avaaz Petition: Have you signed this petition yet? I've posted the link a couple of times, but thought I would include it here as well. They are currently at 1,633,284 signatures, with goal of 2,000,000. Please sign if you haven't already!

Petition for Zimbabwe

Avaaz has put together a petition calling for the results of Zimbabwe's March 29th election to be released, verified, and peacefully honored. They have been collecting thousands of signatures this week from their African members, and are now asking the rest of the world to join in. This petition will be delivered through diplomatic channels, media--and an event on Wednesday, April 16, when South African president Thabo Mbeki travels to the United Nations to chair a special meeting of the UN Security Council.

The letter they sent me included the following quote, which captures perfectly my reasoning for posting petitions like this on my blog:

In a crisis like this, a petition is just a small step--but it's something all of us can do, to raise our voices and call for what's right. And as history shows, international solidarity can be a powerful thing.

So please, I ask you to take a moment and join me in this small step. Sign the petition. They already have almost 85,000 signatures. Please help them get to their goal of 100,000.

Violence in Zimbabwe Increasing

I've been following the news of Zimbabwe's recent elections. President Mugabe is still fighting to hold onto power. The presidential election results have still not been released, although he is already making demands for a recount, claiming that votes for him were tampered with. Several election officials have been arrested by police under suspicion of tampering with election results in the opposition's favour, according to the ruling party (more). There have been attacks on white-owned farms as well (more).

Another interesting source of news is The Zimbabwe Situation which has batches of news articles from various sources.

Stay tuned - I'm not getting a very good feeling about how things are going to develop over the coming days and weeks. Please send Zimbabwe your prayers and hopes of peace.

(edited to fix bad link - sorry, I don't know what happened there!)

Tibet Update

The Avaaz.org petition has passed 1.5 million signatures, and is hoping to reach 2 million. If you haven't already signed, please take a moment now to add your signature. Scroll down the page for picture's from Monday's Global Day of Action for Tibet, as well as other ways to help.

Amnesty International Canada is currently campaigning on behalf of 15 Tibetan monks who have been detained. Please add your voice to those who are asking for their release as well as for others who have been detained.