Statement of British Columbia Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines

OUR STRUGGLE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CONTINUES!

March 6, 2006

The assertion of the Filipino people’s movement for democracy and human rights has foiled President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s attempt to return the Philippines to Martial Law. International solidarity played a vital role in the success of the efforts to have the state of emergency lifted.

However, the parliamentarians and activists detained under Emergency Rule still languish in jail and the attacks on the people’s civil liberties and human rights continue at an all-time high under the US backed Arroyo regime. Other parliamentarians and activists still endure the threat of arrest.

The British Columbia Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (BCCHRP) vows to continue supporting the expanding movement for the ouster of Arroyo, and to continue asserting the people’s human and democratic rights thereafter. We call on other individuals and organizations concerned about human rights and democracy to join in the cry for President Arroyo to resign now and for state repression to end in the Philippines. Also, there must be full investigations into the thousands of human rights violations documented during her presidency (since 2001) followed by real justice for the victims and perpetrators, plus payment of compensation to Marcos victims as ordered by the Supreme Court.

Furthermore, BCCHRP supports the campaign to get the Supreme Court to settle Proclamation 1017’s (emergency rule law) legality once and for all so that Arroyo does not try to use it again.

In particular, the ad-hoc National Committee for the Immediate Release of Congressman Beltran is continuing its work in Canada and BCCHRP is continuing to participate in it until Rep. Crispin Beltran is released.  His health worsening, we support the demand for “Ka Bel” to be transferred from the custody of the Philippine National Police General Hospital to the custody and care of the House of Representatives. We also seek the withdrawal of the trumped up charges against Rep. Beltran. BCCHRP also joins in the demand for the dropping of charges brough against Rep. Rafael Mariano, (Anakpawis and chairperson of KMP), Sen. Satur Ocampo (Bayan Muna), Rep. Teddy Casino (Bayan Muna), Rep. Joel Virador (Bayan Muna) and Rep. Liza Maza (GABRIELA), who have all been taking refuge in the House of Representatives.

Please continue to send protest letters against repressive state measures to the Philippine government, urgent appeals to your governments to withdraw support for Arroyo, and messages of solidarity to the Filipino peoples’ organizations. Please endorse and join the National Committee for the Immediate Release of Congressman Beltran. ?