Category — Press Releases

The past year in the Philippines has served as a reminder that the election of a president promising reform does not guarantee reform. President Aquino condemned human rights violations in the Philippines and pledged to bring justice to the victims of the ‘Maguindanao massacre’ – since he has come to office Human Rights Watch has documented seven extrajudicial killings and three enforced disappearances in which there is strong evidence of military involvement, and there has been little progress in the prosecuting of the perpetrators of the 58 murders in Mindanao or the many other cases of death and disappearance that wait to be resolved.

These examples serve to highlight problems in the Philippine political and legal systems which if not tackled will result in more deaths and disappearances – if following previous trends, of those who simply campaign for better lives – and the impunity of those who are responsible for them.

It is clear that there remains a need for far greater civilian control of a more professionalised military, which itself must be better educated on human rights and held to account by the courts. Breaking the dependency of national government on provincial trapos is another necessity – the manner in which such regional elites are given unremitting support by central government due to their ability to win elections or fight insurgencies highlights systemic flaws in the political system. Again, a well-funded military under firm public control would do away with the need for private militias and the well-understood risks of allowing provincial rulers to amass private armies. Here, the issue of tackling insurgencies comes to the fore – it is clear that force alone will not defeat the government’s enemies, and it is well understood that in the case of both communist and Islamic separatist conflicts, poverty in Mindanao – the country’s breadbasket – is a key driver. The government attitude of no development without peace first thus presents a conundrum which must be broached.

Underscoring all these issues is the need for deep and wide reforms to the criminal justice system – an issue CHRP has chosen to highlight this year. Believing that there is no punishment for crime only serves to incentivise would-be criminals. Here, Maguindanao must be seen as a test case setting an example to would be human rights violators.  As Detlev Mehlis – head of the now ended EU-Philippines Justice Support Programme – tells CHRP in an interview in this newsletter, the criminal justice system is in “desperate need” of reform, from the police, through to prosecutors and criminal procedures. And in this, civil society has a role to play. Ultimately, though, it is government which must take the lead. As Mehlis tells CHRP, “while civil society plays a most important role in creating awareness and observing the government, functioning courts, an effective and determined prosecution service and an effective police respected by the people can only be implemented by the elected political institutions”. And here Mehlis says there must be a “much bigger effort and more determination” than he saw when in the Philippines.

We remain hopeful that President’s Aquino will act with the determination that he promised. And where he does not, CHRP will be there to remind him of what needs to be done.

Salamat.

Mark Dearn
CHRP Chair

CHRP is marking two years since the “Maguindanao massacre” with an event supported by Amnesty International UK, UNISON and the International Federation of Journalists, focusing on the killings and the need for judicial reform for prosecuting human rights violations in the Philippines.

On November 23, two years to the day from the 2009 killing of 58 people in Maguindanao, Filipino lawyer and journalist, Carlos Zarate, Stefan Antor, a judge formerly of the European Union-Philippines Justice Support Programme (EPJUST), Jim Boumelha, president of the International Federation of Journalists, and CHRP UK chair Mark Dearn will speak at “Never Forget”, at the Amnesty International Human Rights Action Centre, London.

Since the party of 58 people – including 34 journalists – were murdered en route to filing Ismael Mangudadatu’s candidacy for mayoral elections, there have been no successful prosecutions. Former local ruling family the Ampatuans have been put on trial, but the process has been dogged by delays, while many of the 195 accused remain at large.

While the Maguindanao killings highlight the way in which provincial rulers needed by national government – whether to win elections or fight insurgencies – can act with disdain for human life and the rule of law, there remain a number of human rights abuses in which the military is culpable. Human Rights Watch documents seven extrajudicial killings and three enforced disappearances carried out by the military since President Aquino came to power in 2010, with no convictions.

This year also marks the end of the 18-month, E3.9 million, EPJUST project. Implemented to help improve institutional capability around investigating and prosecuting perpetrators of human rights violations, such overseas technical assistance initiatives should be actively encouraged by the government.

By examining the lack of progress in prosecuting the alleged perpetrators and in this and many other cases of human rights violations, CHRP urges the Philippine government to act on its commitment to stopping human rights abuses and help enable the successful prosecution of human rights abusers.

CHRP believes that the 58 killings in Maguindanao in 2009 were an expected outcome of a tacit policy of supporting provincial rulers and granting them immunity from the law – as highlighted by the legacy of killings, torture and abduction that have been documented to have occurred over the course of 20 years at the hands of the Ampatuans.

“The ‘Maguindanao massacre’ was a stark evocation of the culture of impunity around abuses of human rights in the Philippines,” said CHRP chair Mark Dearn. “The lack of progress made in prosecuting the killings is a reminder of the changes needed in the judicial system.

“Being a democracy goes far beyond holding elections. The Aquino government must act on its promises and initiate the reforms long-needed to create the fair and transparent political and legal systems that will best serve the Philippine people.

“President Aquino must bring an end to the culture of impunity around human rights violations that persists in the Philippines since his election. Perpetrators of such violations must be brought to justice, and the government must work hand-in-hand with the military, police, civil society and the legal establishment to this end.”

Amnesty International Press Release

11 June 2011

Cagayan de Oro City – International Rights Group says: P-NOY must step
up efforts to free our country from human rights abuse and injustice, on
the eve of Independence Day

On the eve of Philippine Independence Day, Amnesty International
highlighted the continuing human rights abuse and called on President
Aquino to step up efforts to free our country, especially Mindanao, from
impunity and injustice. This call was made by Amnesty International when
it launched its Annual Human Rights report 2011 at Dynasty Hotel in
Cagayan de Oro City on Saturday, June 11.

“Unlawful killings continue in our country under the Aquino government
and justice remains elusive. The families of victims  of the Maguindanao
massacre suffer from delayed justice, “ said Mr. Ritz Lee Santos III,
Chairperson of Amnesty International Philippines.

“We are celebrating our independence from colonization this June 12 but
we cannot celebrate freedom from human rights abuses. We cannot
celebrate freedom from injustice in our country unless President Aquino
and high officials of the Philippine government will step up their
efforts to fight impunity and injustice,”  declared Dr. Aurora Parong,
Director of Amnesty International Philippines.

Amnesty International’s report noted the killing of six journalists in
2010, including radio reporter Desiderio Camangyan in Mati City and
Nestor Bedolido in Digos City.  The report also stated that more than
200 cases of enforced disappearances recorded in the last decade
remained unresolved, as did at least 305 cases of extrajudicial
execution (with some estimates ranging as high as 1,200). Almost no
perpetrators of these crimes have been brought to justice.

The human rights group reported that private armed groups continued to
operate throughout the country, despite government commitments to
disband and disarm them. It noted that President Aquino vowed to disband
and dis-arm private armies but refused to abolish CVOs, the CAFGU and
police auxiliary units.

“President Aquino has to take concrete steps to disband the private
armies in order to curb human rights abuses, especially in Mindanao. The
trial of the alleged perpetrators of the Maguindanao massacre must be
hastened if we do not want the slow justice to be turned in favour of
the perpetrators. ,” asserted Mr. Santos.

Amnesty International’s  report also stated that in the Philippines,
three indigenous peoples were victims of extrajudicial killings in the
past year. It also noted the debates on sexual and reproductive rights
in Congress. Amnesty International has publicly stated that the
Reproductive Health Bill as they are in Congres, at the Senate and the
House of representatives, is a step towards improving the rights to
health especially of women and girls. The organization also said that
the Reproductive health bill will improve access of marginalized sectors
of society and those living in poverty to information and services
necessary for decision making regarding their family.

At the global level, Amnesty International reported that:

* Torture occurred in 98 countries
* Unfair trials occurred in 54 countries
* Prisoners of conscience are held in jails in 48 countries
* Unlawful restrictions of freedom of expression occurred in 89
countries.

“2/3 of the peoples of the world do not have access to justice. We are
launching a Global Call to Action to tip the scales against repression
and injustice. We appeal to leaders of the world, including those in
Asia to adopt a rights- based governance. In the Philippines, we call on
President Aquino and high government officials to help tip the scales
for justice and human rights in our country.  We hope that President
Aquino will not let the legacy of impunity and injustice left by the
Arroyo government to be immortalized.“ appealed Dr. Aurora Parong.

Amnesty International is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary. The
anniversary comes against the backdrop of a changing human rights
landscape, as people across the Middle East and North Africa
courageously confront oppression, tyranny and corruption – often in the
face of bloodshed and state violence. These protests dramatically
demonstrate the need for international solidarity on human rights.

Amnesty International called on the peoples of the world to join its
three million members and supporters worldwide to take action for human
rights. Amnesty International monitors human rights in more than 150
countries and territories of the world.  Amnesty International was
awarded the Noble Peace Prize in 1977.

Please note that there are still 3 male healthworkers who remain in
Bicutan jail.
Let’s continue to support them until they are freed.
ILPS Philippines

January 28, 2011

Dear Friends,

Greetings of peace and justice!

It is with immense joy that we write to you today to express our
heartfelt thanks for being with the Filipino people’s struggle to free
the Morong 43.  What began as a call for freedom and justice in the
Philippines spread like wild fire to become an international campaign
that history shall never forget  a force strong enough that even the
Philippine governments new administration found very hard to ignore.

Indeed, the release of most of the Morong 43 health workers on the
evening of December 17, 2010, is a fruit of the peoples struggle — a
shining example that can be replicated a hundred-fold to free other
political prisoners victimized by repressive regimes all over the world.

The Morong 43s freedom could never have tasted as sweet if not for
friends, who believed that health and human rights must be fought for in
order to be achieved, who continuously inspired us with the burning torch
of solidarity and braving obstacles just so they can show their support
in more ways than one.

If there is one thing that they learned from ten months of incarceration,
torture, and various forms of injustices, it is to become ever more
resolute in their commitment to serve the poor and lay down the
foundations of a people-managed health care system at the community level
and ensure a mechanism of access for all levels and type of health care.

More than a month after their release, the Morong 43 are back doing what
they do best  serving the marginalized sectors of society through the
provision of basic health services.  Recently, they were among those who
led teams of doctors, nurses, and community health workers in Payatas,
Quezon City in a medical and dental mission that served more than 600
patients.

Onward with the struggle for peoples health, onward with the struggle
for social change!

Free the 43 Health Workers! Alliance

Morong 43

London, June 2010

UK Filipinos mobilized inside one of Britain’s largest and most powerful trade unions last week, succeeding in getting its support for trade union rights in the Philippines and hosting a packed fringe meeting.

At the UNISON conference in Bournemouth held from June 14 – 18, Filipino workers for the first time addressed the more than 2,000 delegates, condemning the appalling human rights abuses suffered by workers in the Philippines and urging delegates to sign Motion 101.

[Read more →]

(Photo courtesy of IFJ)

4 March 2010

http://www.ifj.org/en/articles/ifj-joins-london-call-on-president-arroyo-to-stamp-out-impunity-in-the-philippines

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the National Union of Journalists in Great Britain and Ireland (NUJ), joined the Campaign for Human Rights in the Philippines and Amnesty International at a rally yesterday at the Human Rights Action Centre in London to mark 100 days since the massacre of 23 November 2009, which left 57 people dead, including 32 journalists in the southern province of Maguindanao in the Philippines. [Read more →]

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

PUBLIC STATEMENT

http://amnesty.org.ph/news.php?item=news&id=132

9 February 2010

The worst pre-election violence in Philippine history – the Maguindanao massacre – has focused global attention on the human rights situation in the country. Now more than ever,candidates in the 10 May presidential elections need to clarify how they will address key human rights issues facing the country. [Read more →]

H.E. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President of the Republic
Malacanang Palace,
JP Laurel St., San Miguel
Manila Philippines

10 February 2010

Dear Madame President,

We are gravely concerned that despite a succession of investigations and reports from the UN bodies concerned with extrajudicial killings and the use of torture; despite the horrendous massacre last November in Maguindanao, perpetrated by a private army approved by your government, the climate of impunity in the Philippines continues.

On 6 February 42 health workers and doctors involved in a training seminar in Morong, Rizal were arrested by the Rizal PNP. We are informed that these arrests were made using bogus warrants, that the arrested health workers and doctors were blindfolded and taken to a military camp, Camp Pinpin, headquarters of the 202 Infantry Brigade of the AFP.

The military has claimed that these health workers and doctors are part of the communist New People’s Army.  This follows a pattern familiar to anyone who observes the current wave of human rights abuses by the security forces in the Philippines, in which people are labeled as being communist rebels before being imprisoned, tortured or even killed.

The security forces appear to be expanding their targets of professional groups, perhaps because many of these groups have been critical of corruption and abuse of power by your government. Journalists, lawyers, human rights workers and now health professionals have all been targeted.

We call for:

• the immediate release of all those who have been unlawfully detained
• their safety to be ensured by the Government
• their confiscated property to be restored to them
• an investigation by the Commission on Human Rights Group and independent human rights groups into the conduct of this police raid
• a cessation of this pattern of “red labeling” leading to abuses by the military

Yours sincerely

Rev Canon Barry Naylor

Urban Canon and Parish Priest of the Abbey and Holy Spirit Team Ministries, Leicester
President – CHRP Campaign for Human Rights in the Philippines

London, November 23rd, 2009

Campaign for Human Rights in the Philippines (CHRP) condemns the kidnapping and killing of at least 21 people yesterday in Maguindanao, Mindanao, southern Philippines, in an attack believed to be rooted in clan violence erupting in the run-up to the 2010 Philippines elections.

A group of up to 50, including 34 journalists, were travelling in convoy to the local Commission on Elections office to file a candidacy for the post of Governor of Maguindanao when they were stopped by up to100 armed men. Leading the group was the wife of the hopeful candidate, Ismael, ‘Toto’, Mangudadatu, Vice Mayor of Buluan, along with more of Mangudadatu’s relatives.

The Army has reportedly recovered 21 bodies, 13 female and eight male, some mutilated. It believes the remainder may have been buried. An army spokesman said militiamen deputized as government guards by the Ampatuan family were the ones who staged the kidnapping of the Mangudadatu clan members.

CHRP expresses its solidarity with the victims of this atrocity, and their families.

Alvin Carpio, CHRP chairperson said: “This massacre of innocent people trying to take part in the political process must be thoroughly investigated by the government, and those responsible brought to justice.
“With elections looming, it is critical that steps are taken now to prevent any further atrocities and to ensure that the Filipino people, political parties and politicians can partake in free elections without the threat of violence.
“We urge the international community to pay heed to the situation.”

The Ampatuan clan, traditionally dominant in Maguindanao, is led by Datu Andal Snr, Governor of Maginadanao since 2001. Andal – who was accused of murder by another rival clan in 2003 – is close to incumbent president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo: 90% of the votes in his district went to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the 2004 elections, where in three towns Arroyo’s closest rival recorded no votes at all.

The rival Mangudadatu clan announced last year that it would challenge for the position of governor in Maguindanao.

Background:
Ismael Mangudatu’s bid to run for Governor of Maguindanao represents an attempt by the Mangudadatu clan to move in to an area traditionally dominated by the Ampatuan clan, where more than a dozen sons of Datu Andal Snr hold local executive positions such as town mayorships.

Andal is coming to the end of his third term in office, greatly increasing competition for the vacant post which it is believed he wants one of his sons to fill.

Magandatu power is more prominent in Sultan Kudarat province, where the clan has both a governor and a congressman (the former governor) who is a member of President Gloria Arroyo’s Lakas-Kampi-CMD party. Originally from Magindanao, the Magandadatu clan has up until recently had good relations with the Ampatuans.

Philippine news outlet ABS-CBN has reported a source claming that Andal presides over an army of at least 500 armed civilians. A memorandum was issued by Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno in 2006 authorizing the civilian volunteer organizations (CVOs) in Mindanao to bear arms, greatly strengthening the Ampatuan’s privatised army.

In the 2004 elections, Arroyo won 193,938 votes from Maguindanao’s 27 towns while closest rival Fernando Poe Jr., got only 59,892 votes. Poe did not get a single vote in 3 Maguindanao towns.

Notes to Editors:

The Campaign for Human Rights in the Philippines was set up in July 2006 in response to the increasing number of political killings and human rights abuses taking place in the Philippines. Our objectives are: To put pressure on the Philippines Government to stop the political killings and defend human rights in the Philippines; to raise awareness in the UK about political repression in the Philippines with the aim of putting pressure on the Philippines Government to respect human rights; to spotlight British investment and trade links which benefit from human rights violations in the Philippines; to make links between the issues of poverty and political oppression in the Philippines and the situation of Filipino migrants in the UK.

Contact details:

To arrange an interview, or for more information or pictures, contact Andy Whitmore or Mark Dearn.
Telephone (available out of hours ): (+44) 0775 439 5597
Email: comms@chrp.org.uk

The Campaign for Human Rights in the Philippines
c/o PIPLinks
Finspace
225-229 Seven Sisters Road
London
N4 2DA
www.chrp.org.uk

Campaign for Human Rights in the Philippines invites you to a public event. Click on the image to enlarge and download.