No More Deaths

BBC World Service Radio's Outlook programme has highlighted the plight of humanitarian aid workers Shanti Sellz and Daniel Strauss, who face trial for aiding and abetting illegal immigration, after they attempted to take to hospital three Mexicans who were trying to cross the border into the United States.

No More Deaths, the organization to which Shanti and Daniel belong, has some background information on the case:

No More Deaths volunteers, Shanti Sellz and Daniel Strauss, both 23, were arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol for medically evacuating 3 people in critical condition from the 105-degree Arizona desert in July 2005.

Shanti and Daniel were following the protocol of NMD training (acknowledged by NMD and US Border Patrol) by consulting medical professionals who advised them to evacuate the critically ill men to a medical facility, and then consulting a NMD attorney who approved the evacuation.

Their arrest and subsequent prosecution for providing humanitarian aid has shocked people of conscience around the world. These young humanitarians are facing prosecution by the US government which could result in a 15 year prison sentence.

We urgently need your help and support to stop this prosecution.