Dismounted patrol in Qalat City

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Clarence Washington, a squad leader with Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul, provides security during a combined dismounted patrol in Qalat City, Afghanistan, July 18, 2010. (DoD photo by Senior Airman Nathanael Callon, U.S. Air Force/Released)

Closer to freedom. More fragile than ever

Filep Karma is closer than ever to being released from prison, but his health is deteriorating. We’re running out of time. Go the last mile for Filep and other human rights defenders with a gift to Amnesty International.

Dear Rector, We’re getting closer to securing the release of Filep Karma, and need your help to go the final mile. The good news is that fellow Indonesian prisoner of conscience Yusak Pakage was released from prison earlier this month.  Soon after his release, Yusak sent us a warm message of thanks and added: "[This message is] from someone who has suffered and who now smiles again thanks to Amnesty." The power of these words says it all. Yet as Yusak celebrates freedom, Filep suffers with urgent health problems in an abusive, squalid prison in West Papua. Indonesian authorities have delayed his travel to Jakarta for treatment. While we've made significant progress in gathering support for a Congressional resolution condemning Indonesia's imprisonment of peaceful political activists, more support is needed. Filep's freedom - and possibly his life - are on the line. Freedom for Filep! Fellow prisoner of conscience Yusak Pakage was released in July. Help us ensure that Filep Karma's freedom is soon to follow. Support our work and give hope to Filep and other prisoners of conscience in Indonesia.  We hear time and again from former prisoners of conscience how grateful they were to have Amnesty on their side. Your messages of hope buoy them through unimaginably grim circumstances. It's your financial support that makes this lifesaving work possible. Amnesty succeeds, and perseveres, because of your steadfast commitment to human rights. Let's keep the human rights victories coming. Make a gift to Amnesty International and support our life-saving human rights work. Sincerely, Michael O'Reilly Senior Campaign Director, Individuals at Risk Amnesty International USA

Please watch it:Prisoners of Conscience

Filep needs medical attention

Special Boat Team

U.S. Sailors from Special Boat Team 20 help rescue nine people from an overturned tour boat in the Delaware River in Philadelphia July 7, 2010. The Navy crewmembers conducted the rescue along with the Coast Guard, Philadelphia Police and fire rescue teams after the tour boat was struck by a barge and capsized, throwing 35 passengers and two crewmembers in the water. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller, U.S. Navy/Released

Ship arrives in Yokosuka, Japan

 U.S. Sailors stand in formation on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) to spell out “GW 18th” as the ship arrives in Yokosuka, Japan, July 3, 2010. The formation was organized to commemorate the vessel’s 18 years of naval service. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adam K. Thomas, U.S. Navy/Released)

National Park Service

Dr. Jenny Powers, a veterinarian with the U.S. National Park Service, and Cassidy Lejeune, from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, release brown pelicans at Fort De Soto Park near St. Petersburg, Fla., July 7, 2010. In total, 32 brown pelicans were rescued after being found oiled near Louisiana's coast, and were then rehabilitated at Fort Jackson, La., before being released in Tampa Bay. (DoD photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nick Ameen, U.S. Coast Guard/Released)

Meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

 Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen and Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Blair House in Washington, D.C., July 7, 2010. (DoD photo by Master Sgt. Jerry Morrison, U.S. Air Force/Released)

Joe Biden and his wife

Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, commander of U.S. Forces Iraq, speaks at a naturalization ceremony for more than 150 servicemembers while Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, look on in the Al Faw Palace on Camp Victory, Iraq, July 4, 2010. DoD photo by Elaine Wilson Read Full Story