"For a long time, others spoke on our behalf. Now we speak for ourselves."
The message was clear: the time for the voice of the grassroots migrants has come with the resounding success of the International Migrants Alliance (IMA) founding assembly.
They came from all corners of the world. One hundred and sixty seven delegates representing 118 organizations from 25 countries participated in the founding assembly of the first international formation of grassroots migrants on June 15 and 16 in Hong Kong. Among these, 102 were present as founding members (regular and associate members) while 16 have come as observers. The assemblies also noted six organizations who have signified to become founding members but were unable to attend due to visa and financial issues.
In the spirit of international solidarity, the participants shared each other's experiences, learned from each other's actions, debated and reached unities that shall propel the IMA in its future programs.
Inputs from a battery of speakers who were mainly from grassroots organizations of migrants were helpful for the participants to arrive at common understanding of major issues that migrants face. After a painstaking process of finding common grounds, the basic principles of the IMA were firmed up.
With the approval of the IMA Constitution, the election of its leadership and first set of officers and the approval of the General Program of Action (GPOA), the IMA was finally born.
United we shall break the chains of globalization
The first day of the assembly featured presentations on the different themes relevant to migrants.
Held at the City University of Hong Kong and co-organized by the Women Empowerment in Moslem Context of the Southeast Asia Research Center (WEMC-SEARC), the program was attended by more than 350 migrants including about 200 foreign workers – mostly domestic workers – from Hong Kong.
A well-applauded video that showed the situation that migrants face and why building the IMA is imperative opened the program. The crowd was moved, agitated and was put in high spirits to make the assembly a success.
As the names of the organizations attending the IMA were then called, it even heightened the atmosphere of the success of the assembly.
The Very Revd Andrew Chan, dean of the St. John's Cathedral and board member of the Mission for Migrant Workers (MFMW) and the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM) that are both based in Hong Kong, welcomed all the delegates and bid the conference to achieve its aims.
Afterwards, renowned advocate for migrants, Dr. Irene Fernandez of Tenaganita (Women's Force) delivered the keynote address to the assembly. She expounded on the global context of the current migration process, how these processes have changed and were shaped by the developments of the global capitalist system, as well as the increased forced migration, especially of women.
She also took note of the apparent debate between the right to migrate against the right of people against displacement. She said that such was a false debate, imposed by people with a superficial understanding of what it means to be a migrant. "Free movement and the right not to be displaced, are two essential elements to the assertion of collective and individual self-determination," Fernandez explained.
Finally, Dr. Fernandez congratulated all the delegates of the IMA as she also called for revolutionary changes "to break these chains of global exploitation and oppression."
Dr. Fernandez's address was then followed by a battery of panel speakers.
The first panel consisted of noted anti-globalization activists who elaborated on the theme of Wages, Job Security, Remittances and GATS Mode-4. These topics were elaborated on by Mr. Aziz Choudry of the GATT watchdog and MR. Sonny Africa of the respected research think-tank Ibon Philippines. The presentation of Mr. Jose Gonzales of Frente Indígena de Organizaciones Binacionales gave a concrete face to the ill-effects of globalization as he expounded on the situation of migrant agricultural workers coming from Mexico.
In the second panel that focused on the War on Terror, Immigration and Refugees and the Criminalization of Undocumented Migrants, speakers that included Ms. Sarwat Viqar of the Center for Philippine Concerns in Canada, Mr. Ufuk Berdan of the Federation of of Turkish Workers in Europe and Mr. Terence Valen of the Filipino Community Center in the United States discussed how the US-led war on terror has eroded the rights of migrants especially with many anti-migrant policies. Mr. Ramon Bultron of the APMM meanwhile expounded on the general situation that faces the undocumented migrants and their different concerns.
Afterwards, Filipino migrants in Hong Kong from the Cordillera region in the Philippines presented a short play that depicted, in a "Torch Relay" the history of the struggle of Filipino migrants in Hong Kong.
The third panel was composed of regional and national women leaders who talked about violence against women, trafficking and globalization. Speakers were Ms. Emmi de Jesus of the militant women's group Gabriela in the Philippines, Ms. Asfinawati of Asia Pacific forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD) and Hsiao-Chuan Hsia of the Trans Asia Sisters Association of Taiwan (TASAT) which is an organization of immigrant brides in Taiwan.
The last panel of the day tackled the issue of Health, Family and the Social Costs of Forced Migration. Speakers for the panel were Ms. Valentina Soe of the regional group CARAM-Asia, activists from Australia Ms. Vivi Germanos-Koutsounadis of the Greek Orthodox Community of the New South Wales and Ms. Jane Brock-Corpus of the Immigrant Women Speakout Association, Prof. Robyn Rodriquez of Philippine Forum and the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns in the US, and Mr. Syamsul of SEKBER-BMI which is an organization of returned migrants and families of migrant workers in Indonesia.
In the evening, the IMA delegates discussed and approved the IMA's Basis of Unity that shall serve as the Alliance's guiding principles in its work and activities in the future.
United in one stand, firm and resolute
On the second day, the panel that tackled Organizing, Building of Alliances and Campaign Strategies was held. Panel speakers were all grassroots migrant leaders from different countries – Ms. Connie Bragas-Regalado of Migrante International in the Philippines, Ms. Teresa Gutierrez of the May 1st Coalition for Immgirant and Worker Rights in the US, Ms. Wol San Liem of the Migrants' Trade Union (MTU) in Korea and Ms. Eni Lestari of the Asian Migrant's Coordinating Body (AMCB).
The panel presentations became very important inputs in the finalization of the Alliance's Constitution and General Program of Action.
Plans included in the GPOA included activities and programs for education and information, campaign and mobilization that will pick up from the IMA concerns expressed in the panel topics, international advocacy including challenging the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) in the Philippines this October, and expansion of the Alliance including the formation of country chapters and recruitment of more members from the regions of Africa and Latin America.
The finalization of the IMA's GPOA elated the delegates as it provided the roadmap of what the IMA wishes to to achieve for the next three years.
To lead the IMA, members of the International Coordinating Body (ICB) were chosen by the different global regions as well as elected at-large.
To ensure that global regions are represented in the IMA leadership, regional caucuses were held to elect their representatives to the ICB. Among them were Jose Gonzales of FIOB for Latin America, Teresa Gutierrez of May 1st Coalition for Immigrant and Worker Rights for the USA, Sol Pajadura of Migrante-Ontario for Canada, Mr. Ramesh Pandit of Nepalese Labour Organization for South Asia, Mr. Ufuk Berdan of ATIK for Europe, Mr. Nhel Morona for Middle East and Africa and Dr. Irene Fernandez for East Asia and Oceania.
Among those ICB members elected at-large were: Ms. Tess Tesalona of Immigrant Workers Center, Canada; Prof. Robyn Rodriquez of Philippine Forum, USA; Ms. Rumana Sheikh of BOMSA, Bangladesh; Ms. Grace Punongbayan of MIGRANTE-Europe; Ms. Eni Lestari of AMCB,HK; Mr. Ali of Federation of Workers from Turkey in Switzerland; Hsiao-Chuan Hsia of Taiwan; Ms. Connie Bragas-Regalado of Migrante-International, Philippines.
Associate members that comprised NGOs and migrant-serving institutions also selected among themselves two members who will sit as ex officio members to the ICB – Ms. Wahu Kaara of Kenya Debt Relief Network and Mr. Ramon Bultron of the Asia-Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM). Ms. Kaara vowed to assist the IMA in its priority of expanding membership in the African region.
These seventeen members comprised the newly-constituted ICB of the IMA.
The ICB then elected among themselves officers of the executive committee.
Elected members of the executive committee were: Eni Lestari of AMCB-HK, chairperson; Ufuk Berdan of ATIK-Europe, vice chairperson; Connie Bragas-Regalado of Migrante-Philippines, secretary-general; Teresa Gutierrez of the May 1st Coalition for Immigrant and Worker Rights in USA, deputy secretary-general, and; Tess Tesalona of Immigrant Workers Center in Canada, Treasurer.
Migrants on the march, onward we shall move
The establishment of the IMA marked a historic chapter in the movement of migrants and immigrants for rights and welfare and for comprehensive social change.
It was a timely effort of the migrants of the world to forge a stronger and higher unity in the face of daunting problems and issues that worsen the exploitation and oppression of the migrants.
Indeed it is now time to "speak for ourselves."
For we are the migrants forced to leave our countries and families. We are the ones displaced by poverty, political persecution, war on terror, economic hardships and other social ills perpetuated by imperialist globalization.
We are the grassroots migrants. With our solidarity, we shall speak and we shall fight to gain more victories. #
IMA Founding Assembly Participating Organizations
Regular Members (70)*
Australia(6): Gabriela Australia, Greek Orthodox Community of New South Wales, Immigrant Women's Speak Out Association-Australia, Migrante Perth, Migrante Sydney Neighborhood – Inner West of Sydney, Migrante-Melbourne. Austria (1): AYIGF-Federation of Workers from Turkey in Austria. Bangladesh (2): Bangladeshi Ovibashi Mohila Sramik Association, IMA Research Foundation. Canada (6): Migrante Ontario, Pilipinong Migrante sa Canada, Pinay, South Asian Women's Community Center, Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada, Immigrant Workers Centre. Denmark (1): Ugnayan sa Radyo Pinoy. Germany (3): ATIK-Confederation of Workers from Turkey in Europe, ATIK-Yeni Kadin Woman Commission Germany, ATIF-Federation of Workers from Turkey in Germany. Hong Kong (16): Abra Tinguian Ilocano Society, Asian Migrants Coordinating Body, Asosiasi Tenaga Kerja Indonesia, Association of Concerned Filipinos, Association of Sri Lankans, Cordillera Alliance, Filipino Migrant Workers Union, Filipino Women Migrant Workers Association, Friends of Bethune House, Mission Volunteers (MOVERS), PILAR, Pinatud A Saleng Ti Umili, Thai Regional Alliance, United Filipinos in Hong Kong, LIKHA, PIC Choir. Indonesia (1): SEKBER - Family of Migrants. Italy (1): UMANGAT. Japan (4): Filipina Circle for Advancement and Progress (FICAP), KAFIN, KAFIN-Tokyo Akishima, Philippine Women's League of Japan. Korea (2): KASAMMAKO, New Era Foundation. Macau (2): ATKI Macau, Migrante Macau. Malaysia (2): Nepalese Labor Organization, TENAGANITA. The Netherlands (2): HITIF-Federation of Workers from Turkey in Holland, Migrante Europe. New Zealand (1): MIGRANTE-New Zealand. Philippines (2): Migrante International, Coalition of Agricultural Workers Internonational. Switzerland (1): ITIF-Federation of Workers from Turkey in Switzerland. Taiwan (3): Migrante – Taiwan, Trans-Asia Sisters Association of Taiwan, Taiwan International Workers Association. United Kingdom (3): Migrante UK, Tohum Cultural Center, YDG-Europe. United Arab Emirates (1): Migrante UAE. United States of America (10): Anakbayan Los Angeles, Anakbayan New York New Jersey, BAYAN-USA, Frente Indígena de Organizaciones Binacionales, Habi Arts, Bayan USA, May 1st Coalition for Immigrant and Workers Rights, Movement of Action, Inspiring Service (MAIZ), Philippine Forum, Migrante New York, Chelsea Uniting Against the War.
Associate Members (32)
Australia (3): Australia Asia Workers Link, Philippine Australia Solidarity Association, Work@Justice. Canada (5): CATTA, Centre for People's Concerns (CAP-CPC), Movement Against Rape and Incest, Philippines-Canada Solidarity for Human Rights, Women of Diverse Origins for March 8. Hong Kong (6): Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants, Asian Students Association, Bethune House Migrant Women's Refuge, ENGENDER Hong Kong, Mission For Migrant Workers (HK) Society, St John's Cathedral HIV Education Centre. Indonesia (1): Indies. India (1): Sahanivasa. Japan (1): Filipino Migrants Center. Kenya (1): Kenya Debt Relief Network. Malaysia (2): CARAM – Asia, Pesticide Action Network – Asia Pacific. Pakistan (1): Roots for Equity. Philippines (7): Alliance of Health Workers, Center for Women's Resources, GABRIELA, IBON, Institute of Political Economy (IPE), Solidarity and People's Advocacy Network, Student Christian Movement of the Philippines. Taiwan (2): Labor Rights Association, New Immigrants Labor Rights Association. Thailand (1): Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development. United States of America (1): Filipino Community Center-San Francisco
Observers (16)
Australia (2): Asian Women at Work, Researchers from the University of Sydney. Canada (1): Vancouver Bus Riders Association. Hong Kong (3): World Student Christian Federation Asia Pacific, Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, Asian Monitor Resource Centre. Indonesia (2): Partisan Foundation, Solidaritas Perempuan. Japan (3): Asia Wide Campaign (AWC-Japan), Global Collaboration Center, Japanese Filipino Children's Network. Korea (1): Migrants Trade Union. New Zealand (1): GATT-Watchdog. Philippines (1): Gabriela Women's Party. Thailand (1): Global Alliance Against Trafficking of Women. United States of America (1): Critical Filipino Studies Collective.
*Six organizations who were not present during the assembly but signified their intent to join the IMA as regular members are: Japan (3) – DUYAN, League of Filipino Seniors, Philippine Society in Japan. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (2): Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan-Migrante Al Jouf, Migrante-Jeddah-KSA. Korea (1): Migrant Workers Television South Korea (MWTV).
================================
International Migrants Alliance
The first-ever global alliance of grassroots associations, organizations, unions, networks and alliances of migrant workers, immigrants, refugees and displaced peoples
Founding Assembly - June 2008
Email: ima.june2008@gmail.com
Contact the IMA Secretariat at ima.sect@gmail.com
23.5.08
Hommage à / Tribute to Crispin "Ka Bel" Beltran
__________________________________________
Hommage à Crispin "Ka Bel" Beltran
Héro de la classe ouvrière philippine
à l'Église philippine indépendante
Quand: dimanche le 25 mai, 17h00 à 19h00
Lieu: Église St Paul, 3970 Côte Ste-Catherine (coin Légaré - Métro Côte Ste-Catherine)
Le service sera suivi d'un souper communautaire (pot luck). Soyez prêt à partager vos souvenirs de Ka Bel.
Tribute to Crispin "Ka Bel" Beltran
Philippine working class hero who passed away this week
with Father Art Calaycay of the Philippine Independent Church
Sunday, May 25, 5 pm - 7 pm
at the St Paul's Church, 3970 Côte Ste-Catherine (coin Légaré - Métro Côte Ste-Catherine)
Montréal, Québec, Canada
Memorial service followed by community pot-luck dinner to pay Tribute to our friend. Please be ready to share your memories and stories of Ka Bel.
Organisé par les ami-e-s de Ka Bel à Montréal incluant l'Église indépendant philippin, PINAY et le Centre d'appui aux Philippines - Centre for Philippine Concerns (CAP-CPC)
Organized by the Friends of Ka Bel in Montreal, including the Philippine Independent Church of Montreal, PINAY and the Centre d'appui aux Philippines - Centre for Philippine Concerns (CAP-CPC)
20.5.08
Working class hero Crispin "Ka Bel" Beltran leaves a living legacy
PRESS STATEMENTMay 20, 2008
Today, Rep. Crispin B. Beltran, ANAKPAWIS Party list representative on his 3rd term in Congress, a great labor leader, an incorruptible parliamentarian, staunch fighter for national freedom, democracy and international working class solidarity, died at 11:48am at the FEU hospital in Quezon City due to severe head injuries. He was 75.
We mourn with his family and friends, comrades and colleagues. Yet, in his passing, he left a distinctive and brilliant legacy of fighting for the interest of the workers and oppressed peoples. Rep. Beltran is scheduled to file a bill to remove the e-vat on electric power to lower the rates affecting his constituents. Rep. Beltran's study of his legislative measures are for the protection of the underprivileged and other marginalized sectors.
Crispin Beltran, more endeared to the masses as "Ka Bel", is a living legend and epitome of militancy and progressive lawmaking in the country. He is currently the Chairman of the national political party Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) Partylist and is its re-elected Representative in the Philippine Congress.
Having been an activist for over fifty long years, Ka Bel is esteemed by laborers, peasants, urban poor and other marginalized sectors as a true defender of the toiling masses and staunch critic of privatization, deregulation and other destructive policies of globalization.
Ka Bel also stands against the United States' war of aggression on Iraq and its war on terror. He also is steadfast in his call for respect for national sovereignty and international unity against foreign intervention.
During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, at an early age, Ka Bel volunteered as a courier for the guerillas. After the war, he worked as a farm hand and janitor to support his studies. He then worked as a gasoline boy, messenger, bus driver and later on, a taxi driver. At age 20, he joined his fellow drivers in a strike against unfair labor practices. The police attacked their picket line, injured many and claimed the lives of three protesting workers. Since then, Ka Bel vowed to fight alongside the working class.
He organized the Amalgamated Taxi Drivers Association, for which he served as President from 1955 up to 1963. Together with Felixberto 'Ka Bert' Olalia and Feliciano Reyes, leaders of the Filipino labor movement's militant tradition, he organized the Confederation of Labor of the Philippines (CLP). He was CLP's Vice-President from 1963 to 1972. Ka Bel also helped found the Philippine Workers Congress and other labor organizations such as KASAMA and PACMAP, which de facto asserted their recognition during Martial Law.
Under the repressive martial law, Ka Bel helped establish the Federation of Unions in Rizal and the Philippine Nationalist Labor Organization (PANALO) until KMU was founded in 1980. From 100,000, KMU's membership soared to 500,000 in the 1980s. The establishment of KMU united and strengthened the people in its fight against the fascism of the Marcos dictatorship.
When Marcos launched a crackdown in August 1982, Ka Bel was one of those arrested and detained. In November 1984, he was able to escape, and went back to organizing workers and peasant s in the countryside. When Ka Rolando "Lando" Olalia was brutally murdered in 1987, Ka Bel took over the presidency of KMU. He ran for senator under the banner of Partido ng Bayan that same year and garnered 1.52 million votes but lost due to massive "dagdag bawas" (ballot and vote switching) scheme of election fraud. He remained a leader of the militant union until March 2003.
He also became a National Council Member of multi-sectoral alliance Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) which means New Patriotic Alliance) in 1985 and also served as its national chairperson from 1993 to 1999. Ka Bel became the chairman of the International League for People's Struggles in 2002. He is also considered as one of the pillars of international working class solidarity in the era of globalization.
From February 2001 to November 2003, he served as Vice President and one of the three representatives of Bayan Muna (People First) Partylist to Congress, where he introduced legislations imbued with his high sense of patriotism and advocacy of the rights and welfare of the marginalized sectors.
In 2004, he became the representative for Anakpawis Partylist as a sectoral representative of workers, peasants, urban poor and other toiling masses.
Ka Bel was cited by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism as the partylist representative in the 13th Congress with the most number of bills and resolutions filed, totaling to 130, and with a nearly perfect attendance before his arrest in February 2006.
His three-term stint in the House of Representatives has garnered him awards such as Filipino of the Year and Most Outstanding Congressman for four consecutive years from 2002 - 2005, and in 2006, was adjudged part of the Congressional Hal l of Fame - all these and the respect of the public he reaped even as the Arroyo regime continues to persecute him and his fellow activists.
After his arrest and year-and-a-half long arbitrary and illegal detention initiated by the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo administration, Ka Bel was proven innocent of the rebellion charges against him. Persecution, however, persists through the fabricated inciting to sedition case that the Metropolitan Court of Quezon City refuses to dismiss until now, despite legal prohibit ions for duly-elected officials to be charged with crimes punishable by not more than six years of imprisonment such as inciting to sedition.
In October 2007, Ka Bel exposed bribery attempts by administration allies, particularly by KAMPI member Francis Ver. He was offered P2million in exchange for his support to the weak impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Ka Bel is survived by 11 children, 29 grandchildren and 5 great-grand children. His remains will be interred at his home, May 20, at Lot 16, Blk. 30 Francisco, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, and transferred to the UP Catholic Chapel starting May 21.
--
From the Office of Rep. Crispin B. Beltran
National Headquarters +63 2 426-9442 Email. crispinbeltran@gmail.com
Reference: Rep.Crispin Beltran 0927.8711080
Chief of Staff, Lu Roque, +63 2 931-6615
International Liaison Officer, Lyn Pano, +63 919 410-1598
10.5.08
Droits humains aux Philippines et l'implication canadienne
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Soirée d'information le 16 mai 2008 en trois volets :
1. Philippines: une guerre contre le peuple
Vidéo-discussion avec les cinéastes Malcolm Guy et Marie Boti qui lanceront leur nouveau film, Philippines : une guerre contre le peuple sur la campagne internationale contre les assassinats politiques aux Philippines **
2. Qu'en est-il de l'implication canadienne aux Philippines?
Présentation des conclusions d'un rapport de recherche sur la présence canadienne aux Philippines par Jean-Philippe Massicotte, Chercheur-stagiaire, Chaire d'études asiatiques
3. Présentation de la tournée de sensibilisation par trois parlementaires progressistes philippins au Canada
Mise à jour de la campagne internationale « Cesser les assassinats politiques aux Philippines »
Vendredi, le 16 mai 2008
18:30 - 21:00
Université de Montréal, Salle 180
Pavillon Jean Brillant
3744 Jean Brillant
Métro Côte-des-neiges
Montréal, Québec
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** Philippines: une guerre contre le peuple des cinéastes montréalais Marie Boti et Malcolm Guy suit l'histoire de Dr. Chandu Claver, qui survit à une embuscade ou sa femme est abattue. Alyce Claver est parmi les 900 civils, étudiants, travailleurs, paysans, et même un évèsque qui sont tombés sous les balles d'assassins depuis que la Présidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo a pris le pouvoir en 2001. L'implication des forces armées et des policiers ne fait aucune doute, mais un climat d'impunité totale règne dans le pays. C'est une "guerre au terrorisme" à la philippine. Les groupes communautaires et progressistes ont beau protester et manifester, le gouvernement jouit toujours du soutien des grandes puissances, et particulièrement du gouvernement étatsunien de George W. Bush.
Philippines: Une guerre contre le peuple nos amène dans les coulisses de la campagne internationale pour faire cesser les assassinats politiques aux Philippines. c2008 Productions Multi-Monde et Centre d'appui aux Philippines Procurez votre copie ici.
6.5.08
Fighting Back: Art and Social Change - Paintings by Eileen Young
Centre for Philippine Concerns member Eileen Young will be presenting her amazing paintings from May 8 to June 1, 2008 at the Centre Culturel Simon Bolivar in Montréal as part of this year's Mayworks Festival.
Fighting Back: Art and Social Change
Paintings by Eileen Young
Centre Culturel Simon Bolivar
394 de Maisonneuve W.
For information: +1 514 843-8033
Show on from Thursday, May 8 to June 1, 2008
Vernissage: Thursday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m.
Metro Place des Arts, take Bleury exit, west of Bleury on south side.
29.4.08
Cordillera Peoples Alliance
Statement of Support from the Cordillera Peoples
to the Mohawk Nation
April 29, 2008 -- The Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) condemns the violence perpetrated by the Ontario Provincial Government and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) against the Mohawk Nation in Tyendinaga at the
In the course of the said peaceful protest, the OPP unlawfully arrested at least five (5) Mohawk activists whose detention remains unknown. The said protest started on April 20 and continues to date. Despite the violence and the unlawful arrests, the Mohawk remains to stand their ground. They shall continue to assert their rights and defend their territory and life. The OPP responded with threats stating: “We’re coming in at dark to take you out!”
These developments are very alarming and signify the oppression and utter disregard of the
In solidarity with the Mohawk Nation, we call on the
We further call on the said governments to surface the Mohawk activists arrested. We hold them accountable for any harm to their persons, to others who have been physically maltreated by the OPP and other BEVERLY L. LONGID
Chairperson
CORDILLERA PEOPLES ALLIANCE
#2 P. Guevarra Street,
WestModern Site, Aurora Hill, 2600
Baguio City,
Philippines
Telephone: +63.74.442.2115
Facsimile: +63.74.443.7159
Email: cpa@cpaphils.org; sakongan@gmail.com
Web site: www.cpaphils.org
27.4.08
Open Letter to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of Canada
Monday, April 21, 2008 -- We, the undersigned Canadian-based organizations and individuals, strongly condemn the harassment by armed men of Rep. Satur Ocampo on his return from a Human Rights Mission to Canada. We also condemn the threat of his imminent arrest. We are seriously concerned for his safety and that of the other members of the Mission, Rep. Crispin Beltran and Rep. Luz Ilagan.
According to Philippine newspaper reports, unidentified armed men on motorcycles believed to be police officers were seen staking out Ocampo's residence in Quezon City, early Sunday, April 20. A Honda SUV and a Toyota AUV parked a few metres from his house left when members of the media arrived around 10:30 am.
We view the timing of these events as punishment by the Philippine government for Rep. Ocampo’s courageous and principled stand against the ongoing human rights abuses in the Philippines -- particularly the extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances -- that he and the two other elected legislators aired before the Canadian Parliament and the Canadian media.
Rep. Ocampo, President of the Bayan Muna Party and the Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, along with Rep. Beltran of Anakpawis and Rep. Ilagan from the Gabriela Women's Party, were in Canada at the invitation of the Stop the Killings Network and the United Church of Canada for a national tour from April 4 -18, 2008.
The three members of the Philippine Congress informed the Canadian public, media and members of Parliament at the House of Commons Subcommittee on International Human Rights that more than 900 extrajudicial killings and 180 enforced disappearances have occurred under the government of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. They revealed that they themselves have been subjected to harassment, arrests and intimidation; 132 members of Rep. Ocampo's party have been assassinated since 2001, along with 49 members of Anakpawis and members of Gabriela.
Members of the Subcommittee who heard their testimonies expressed deep concern, saying that Canada must speak out and condemn the political killings. They acknowledged the grave risk the Philippine legislators have taken in standing up for their country.
The Philippine government appears to be again dredging up murder charges against Mr. Ocampo along with fellow Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño, Gabriela Women's Party Rep. Liza Maza and former Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano. Prosecutors in Neuva Ecija province filed the charges on Friday, April 18, this time for the alleged killing of three rebel returnees between 2001 and 2004.
It is to be noted that Casiño also just returned from Geneva, Switzerland where he made front page news exposing the human rights abuses in the Philippines during that country’s appearance before the United Nations Universal Periodic Review on human rights last April 11, 2008.
This is not the first time the government of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has ordered the arrest of Mr. Ocampo and the other progressive Party list legislators in order to silence them. Each time the charges have been thrown out of court.
On February 2007, Mr. Ocampo was arrested and detained for 18 days during an ongoing election campaign on charges of murders he allegedly committed in 1984. At that time he was in prison under the Marcos dictatorship. The case was dismissed by the Supreme Court.
Rebellion charges were also dismissed in 2006 against Reps. Ocampo, Casiño, Beltran and Mariano, along with Rep. Maza of Gabriela. They spent two months under the protective custody of the Philippine Congress to prevent their arrest. However, Rep. Crispin Beltran, 75, was nabbed and spent 15 months in prison where he suffered heart problems before the charges were dropped.
UN Rapporteur Philip Alston rejected the charges of the Philippine government that the ongoing political killings and abductions are the results of internal purges within the Philippine left and underground New Peoples Army, and instead implicated the Philippine military and police forces.
We demand that the Philippine government immediately stop the harassment and drop all trumped-up charges against Reps. Ocampo, Beltran, Ilagan, Casiño and the other elected representatives of these Party list organizations.
We urge that the Canadian government demand an immediate end to the intimidation and harassment of Rep. Ocampo and ensure his safety along with that of Rep. Beltran and Rep. Ilagan. The three were recent guests of the Canadian people. We call on the Canadian government to take a strong stand against the extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in the Philippines and withhold bilateral assistance to the Arroyo government until Ottawa has proof that suitable measures have been taken.
-- Drop all trumped-up charges against Rep. Satur Ocampo and the other elected party list legislators;
-- Stop the harassment and intimidation of Rep. Satur Ocampo and the other elected party list legislators;
-- Stop the extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in the Philippines and bring those responsible to justice.
Signed by:
Basics Community Newspaper
Bayan Organizing Committee, Toronto
B.C. Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines
Canadian Advocacy Group for Philippines (CAGP)
Centre d’appui aux Philippines - Centre for Philippine Concerns (Montreal)
Centre for Research on Globalization (CRM), Montreal
Coalition for the Protection of Caregivers' Rights
Centre for Women's Studies in Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
Community Alliance for Social Justice, Toronto
Connie Sorio, KAIROS, Asia Pacific
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)- National
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)local 4600
Damayan Manitoba
Denis Lemelin, National President, Canadian Union of Postal Workers
Development and Peace
Dominique Caouette, Political Science Dept., University of Montreal
Francine Lalonde, MP, Bloc Québécois
Friends of Satur Ocampo, Crispin Beltran and Luz Ilagan of Vancouver
Global and Societal Ministries, BC Conference, UCC
Jean-Philippe Massicotte, University of Montreal
Joan Agravante-Mititar
Johanne Deschamps, MP, Bloc Québecois
Lois Wilson, Senator (ret.)
Migrante-Ontario (AWARE Filipino Family Services, Damayan Education and Resource Centre, Filipino Migrant Workers' Movement)
Migrante Youth Collective
MiningWatch Canada
Northstar Compass
National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) - National
Ontario Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines
Pacific People's Partnership
PATAC (Philippine Advocacy Through Arts and Culture)
Philippine - Québec Public Forum, Montreal
Philippine Network for Justice and Peace
PINAY Montreal
Primates World Relief and Development Fund
Ricardo Caluen (member of Philippine Press Club of Ontario)
United Church of Canada
Victoria Group
Vivian Barbot, MP, Bloc Québécois
(version 8)
According to Philippine newspaper reports, unidentified armed men on motorcycles believed to be police officers were seen staking out Ocampo's residence in Quezon City, early Sunday, April 20. A Honda SUV and a Toyota AUV parked a few metres from his house left when members of the media arrived around 10:30 am.
We view the timing of these events as punishment by the Philippine government for Rep. Ocampo’s courageous and principled stand against the ongoing human rights abuses in the Philippines -- particularly the extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances -- that he and the two other elected legislators aired before the Canadian Parliament and the Canadian media.
Rep. Ocampo, President of the Bayan Muna Party and the Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, along with Rep. Beltran of Anakpawis and Rep. Ilagan from the Gabriela Women's Party, were in Canada at the invitation of the Stop the Killings Network and the United Church of Canada for a national tour from April 4 -18, 2008.
The three members of the Philippine Congress informed the Canadian public, media and members of Parliament at the House of Commons Subcommittee on International Human Rights that more than 900 extrajudicial killings and 180 enforced disappearances have occurred under the government of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. They revealed that they themselves have been subjected to harassment, arrests and intimidation; 132 members of Rep. Ocampo's party have been assassinated since 2001, along with 49 members of Anakpawis and members of Gabriela.
Members of the Subcommittee who heard their testimonies expressed deep concern, saying that Canada must speak out and condemn the political killings. They acknowledged the grave risk the Philippine legislators have taken in standing up for their country.
The Philippine government appears to be again dredging up murder charges against Mr. Ocampo along with fellow Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño, Gabriela Women's Party Rep. Liza Maza and former Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano. Prosecutors in Neuva Ecija province filed the charges on Friday, April 18, this time for the alleged killing of three rebel returnees between 2001 and 2004.
It is to be noted that Casiño also just returned from Geneva, Switzerland where he made front page news exposing the human rights abuses in the Philippines during that country’s appearance before the United Nations Universal Periodic Review on human rights last April 11, 2008.
This is not the first time the government of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has ordered the arrest of Mr. Ocampo and the other progressive Party list legislators in order to silence them. Each time the charges have been thrown out of court.
On February 2007, Mr. Ocampo was arrested and detained for 18 days during an ongoing election campaign on charges of murders he allegedly committed in 1984. At that time he was in prison under the Marcos dictatorship. The case was dismissed by the Supreme Court.
Rebellion charges were also dismissed in 2006 against Reps. Ocampo, Casiño, Beltran and Mariano, along with Rep. Maza of Gabriela. They spent two months under the protective custody of the Philippine Congress to prevent their arrest. However, Rep. Crispin Beltran, 75, was nabbed and spent 15 months in prison where he suffered heart problems before the charges were dropped.
UN Rapporteur Philip Alston rejected the charges of the Philippine government that the ongoing political killings and abductions are the results of internal purges within the Philippine left and underground New Peoples Army, and instead implicated the Philippine military and police forces.
We demand that the Philippine government immediately stop the harassment and drop all trumped-up charges against Reps. Ocampo, Beltran, Ilagan, Casiño and the other elected representatives of these Party list organizations.
We urge that the Canadian government demand an immediate end to the intimidation and harassment of Rep. Ocampo and ensure his safety along with that of Rep. Beltran and Rep. Ilagan. The three were recent guests of the Canadian people. We call on the Canadian government to take a strong stand against the extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in the Philippines and withhold bilateral assistance to the Arroyo government until Ottawa has proof that suitable measures have been taken.
-- Drop all trumped-up charges against Rep. Satur Ocampo and the other elected party list legislators;
-- Stop the harassment and intimidation of Rep. Satur Ocampo and the other elected party list legislators;
-- Stop the extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in the Philippines and bring those responsible to justice.
Signed by:
Basics Community Newspaper
Bayan Organizing Committee, Toronto
B.C. Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines
Canadian Advocacy Group for Philippines (CAGP)
Centre d’appui aux Philippines - Centre for Philippine Concerns (Montreal)
Centre for Research on Globalization (CRM), Montreal
Coalition for the Protection of Caregivers' Rights
Centre for Women's Studies in Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
Community Alliance for Social Justice, Toronto
Connie Sorio, KAIROS, Asia Pacific
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)- National
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)local 4600
Damayan Manitoba
Denis Lemelin, National President, Canadian Union of Postal Workers
Development and Peace
Dominique Caouette, Political Science Dept., University of Montreal
Francine Lalonde, MP, Bloc Québécois
Friends of Satur Ocampo, Crispin Beltran and Luz Ilagan of Vancouver
Global and Societal Ministries, BC Conference, UCC
Jean-Philippe Massicotte, University of Montreal
Joan Agravante-Mititar
Johanne Deschamps, MP, Bloc Québecois
Lois Wilson, Senator (ret.)
Migrante-Ontario (AWARE Filipino Family Services, Damayan Education and Resource Centre, Filipino Migrant Workers' Movement)
Migrante Youth Collective
MiningWatch Canada
Northstar Compass
National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) - National
Ontario Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines
Pacific People's Partnership
PATAC (Philippine Advocacy Through Arts and Culture)
Philippine - Québec Public Forum, Montreal
Philippine Network for Justice and Peace
PINAY Montreal
Primates World Relief and Development Fund
Ricardo Caluen (member of Philippine Press Club of Ontario)
United Church of Canada
Victoria Group
Vivian Barbot, MP, Bloc Québécois
(version 8)
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