PBI Emergency Response Network

Peace Brigades International (PBI) is inviting interested parties to help in
establishing an Emergency Response Network (ERN) in Australia.  The ERN is an
important part of PBI's work of sending nonviolent activists to work with
individuals and organisations whose lives or functions are threatened as a
result of their nonviolent activities.

PBI currently has three projects in the field: Guatemala, El Salvador and Sri
Lanka.  In the past, the ERN has proved effective in each of these projects. 
In 1988, for example, Rigoberto Menchu and Rolando Castillo were arrested in
El Salvador and were released within 24 hours of an ERN alert.  Similarly,
five PBI volunteers in El Salvador during 1989 were released within 24 hours
of an alert.  In 1991 the ERN was instrumental in encouraging the Sri Lankan
government to reinstate visas for PBI's peace team.

The ERN aims to focus international attention on countries where locals or
PBI volunteers are threatened, detained or injured as a consequence of their
nonviolent activities. The knowledge that PBI is an international
organisation with the ability to harness international attention, plays a big
role in deterring violence against locals or PBI volunteers in Asia and
Central America.

Being a member of the ERN is easy. All you have to do is have access to a
phone or fax, and be willing to communicate you concern with local
authorities in countries where an alert has been noted, or with the
appropriate authorities and media interests in Australia.  You may choose
instead to become a Key Caller whereby you become responsible for contacting
approximately five people in your area.  Finally, you may choose instead to
make a financial contribution to ERN to help with its administrative costs. 
ERN members pay for their own faxes, phone calls and letters.

If you wish to become a member of ERN or know of others who might like to
join, then please contact PBI  Qld, PO Box 292, West End, Qld 4101.  If you
wish to have more information about becoming a PBI volunteer or helping in
some other area, please contact PBI, NSW, PO Box A243, Sydney South, NSW
2000.

Join today and help the ERN to function more effectively throughout the
world.
PBI, Qld