SUPPORT THE PRISONERS OF THE WAR ON DRUGS

Maxim Popov, Uzbekistan

Maxim Popov, a 29 years old activist, is the founder and leader of Izis, an organization of young medical professionals and activists, which focuses on HIV/AIDS prevention and empowerment of drug addicts and sex workers. In April 2010, he was condemned to 7 years imprisonment, accused of financial violations (allegedly, he embezzled the donors’ funds) and distribution of "Healthy Lifestyles, The Guidance for Teachers" book, issued in Almaty and re-issued three times. The book was supported by UN, USAID, UNICEF, PSI, Global Fund and others. The Uzbek government said that the book constituted an “assault on minors without violence” and ordered the book incinerated and barred from circulation.

“Imprisoning Maxim Popov is not only a violation of human rights, but it has hurt public health efforts in Uzbekistan,” said Robin Gorna, Executive Director of the International Aids Society. “In most countries around the world the work done by Maxim Popov would be drawing praise and support. It highlights the need for donors, like those who funded Mr. Popov’s work, to improve protection of their frontline HIV educators from harassment and arrest.”

What can you do for Maxim?

Sign the open letter Calling On International Agencies To Support Amnesty For Maxim Popov

Write the following letter to President of Uzbekistan, H.E. President Islam Karimov

To: H.E President Islam Karimov

President of Uzbekistan

Your Excellency,

I write to express my extreme concern about the unfair trial and sentencing of Mr. Maxim Popov, psychologist, HIV/AIDs activist, and founder of NGO Izis, to seven years imprisonment for selflessly serving the people of Uzbekistan to educate them about prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and promotion of healthy lifestyles.

I believe that the charges against Maxim Popov, including "promoting homosexuality", "corrupting minors in anti-social behavior" and “embezzlement” of funds received from international donors were politically motivated and contradictory to national and international law. To date, none of the charges relating to embezzlement have been confirmed by the international donors themselves, and no such allegations of misuse of funds have been made against Popov earlier in relation to his work.

Further, his book on HIV/AIDS, which primarily explains STD prevention, was deemed "illegal" by the criminal court of Tashkent, finding it as “disrespectful of the national culture and the Uzbek People.” This verdict, denying Popov his fundamental rights to freedom of expression, is in breach of not only national constitutional guarantees, but also Uzbekistan’s commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Maxim Popov is one tragic case, but I know that arbitrary detention is widespread and ongoing in your country. I urge you to immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Popov and all other individuals unjustly imprisoned and denied their basic human rights to peaceful expression, association and assembly.

Sincerely,

Name, Country, Organization (if applicable)

Chakib El Khayari, Morocco

Chakib El Khayari was arrested in Casablanca on 18 February 2009. As chairman of the Human Rights Association of the Rif, he had made critical declarations in the press concerning the level of corruption in the drug control agencies of the Moroccan state. These agencies turn a blind eye to the illicit export of hash from Morocco, and carry out a repressive policy with regards to the farmers who grow cannabis.

The accusations against El Khayari did not justify his detention. The real reason may have been that in the year before his detention, El Khayari had started a debate in the Moroccan media to consider legalisation of cannabis for industrial and medicinal purposes as a way to reduce illicit drug trafficking and bring development to the region.

On Wednesday 24 June 2009, El Khayari was condemned to three years in prison and 68.000 euro fine.

What can you do for Chakib?

Ask your Member of Parliament to intervene in favour of Chakibs liberation

Sign and send the letter to the Moroccan King with copies to the Moroccan embassy in your country and the European Commission’s office in Morocco, with a copy to ENCOD

Send a postcard to Chakib:

Chakib El-Kheyari
 BP 742
 Nador
 Maroc

Marc Emery, Canada

Marc Emery is a well-known activist for cannabis legalization in Vancouver. A retail store owner, and editor of Cannabis Culture Magazine, on July 29th, 2005 he was arrested for selling marijuana seeds over the Internet. The arrest occurred at the request of the United States. Emery was charged by the US even though he had never operated south of the border. After a long judicial fight over his extradition, Marc Emery was finally extradited to the United States on 20 May 2010. He awaits a 5 year sentence.

What can you do for Marc?

Cannabis Culture and WhyProhibition.ca are calling for worldwide protests again to bring attention to his cause and situation. Please see how you can help convince the US Federal Judge to give Marc Emery a very short or non-custodial sentence!