From Filipino group in UK, a statement of concern

From Filipino group in UK, a statement of concern

Mar 08, 2006
Updated 05:11am (Mla time)

INQ7.net

THE NEWS that a state of emergency had been declared in the Philippines has been unsettling and alarming for the United Kingdom’s Filipino community.

The sight of chaotic water-cannon dispersals of groups rallying in memory of the 1986 People Power revolution were more evocative of the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship than the democratic government we fought so hard for.

We now hear that Proclamation 1017 has been lifted, but for Filipinos here in the United Kingdom many issues remain –

• the continuing lack of clarity about the alleged coup attempt -- Filipinos the world over would like the facts of the alleged coup attempt clearly stated instead of the muddled release of disconnected information

• the handing over of arrest and security powers to the police and military elements without clear guidelines to protect civil liberties

• the continuing arrest and detention of key opposition figures as well as citizens exercising their right to assemble and protest against the state of emergency

• the intimidation of the media under the guise of security, especially the Daily Tribune, which has been most critical of this government

• and amid these chaotic events, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s failure to respond to charges of corruption and election fraud that continue to dog this Presidency.

The Philippines is a signatory to the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. By issuing Proclamation 1017, the government has violated international guidelines set by the United Nations Human Rights Committee.

We demand that the President carry out her duty to protect and preserve the civil and political rights of the people of the Philippines. End this state of national emergency that curtails democratic freedoms and undermines basic rights.

We call on all who value the people’s fundamental right to free speech, expression and assembly to join us in urging the Arroyo government to rescind this proclamation.

CENTRE FOR FILIPINOS, London, United Kingdom; Contact person: Maria Gonzalez, coordinator (St. Alban’s Church Community Centre, 2 Margravine Road, London W6 8HJ, UK; www.centreforfilipinos.org)

©2006 www.inq7.net all rights reserved

Send your feedback here