The Wire

A recent case in the US has shown kindness can be rewarded with punishment if it gets in the way of political interests. US organisation Voices in the Wilderness thought they were putting compassion to good use by giving medicine to Iraqi children suffering under UN economic sanctions, but in 2002 the government fined them $20,000 for their efforts. Voices refused to pay the fine, immediately lodging an appeal. In another step backwards, a district court judge dismissed that appeal last week, ordering them to pay up. Neville Watson is an Australian member of Voices in the Wilderness, and spoke about the outcome of the trial from Chicago.