Jailed medics need our support

THE Bulgarian Medics Solidarity Project (BMSP) is a group working to support six innocent people - five Bulgarian nurses and one Palestinian doctor - who are facing their seventh Christmas in prison and their second under sentence of death.

Their fate is in the hands of the Libyan leader, Col Gaddafi. Numerous political and diplomatic initiatives are under way to secure their release.

It may seem there is nothing ordinary people can do to affect the outcome of this appalling miscarriage of justice. But there is something that the BMSP is asking readers to do: send a greeting and expression of support to the Benghazi Six this Christmas.

It is a gesture that will only cost the price of a stamp, and the Bulgarian ambassador in Tripoli will personally deliver any cards or letters to the medics themselves.

This Christmas, please consider sending a card or greeting to one or more of the Benghazi Six - Kristiyana Valcheva, Nasiya Nenova, Valentina Siropolo, Valya Chervenyashka, Snezhana Dimitrova and Dr Ashaf Hasan Juma’a al-Hajuj.

Put the card in an envelope addressed to HE Zdravko Velev, Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria, Selma Ben al-Ukua Str., Ben Ashtour Area No 58-6, PO Box 2945, Tripoli, GSPLA Jamahiriyah (Libya).

Please do not put the name of the prisoner on the envelope - only the name of the Bulgarian ambassador should appear on it.

Also, please do not write anything critical of Libya or its government. If those interested in supporting the prisoners are unsure what to write, we would suggest a simple message such as ‘Thinking of you at Christmas’ or ‘With hopes for your release in the New Year’.

Every bit of support from people - no matter how small - means a great deal to the medics and their families, who often feel that their cause has been forgotten. Full details about the Bulgarian Medics Solidarity Project can be found at http://www.nishand.org.

Catherine Donovan (on behalf of the BMSP)

6 Botanic Road

Ballyphehane

Cork