FREEDOM FOR KA BEL is JUSTICE FOR THE TOILING MASSES! FREE KA BEL NOW!”

It has been a year since Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) Representative Crispin Beltran was illegally arrested and arbitrarily detained. Despite local and international pressures exerted, including several calls from the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Arroyo government is not releasing him and is even planning to transfer him from his hospital room at the Philippine Heart Center back to his detention cell in the Philippine National Police Camp.

In line with our resolve to strengthen the campaign for the release of the illegally-arrested and arbitrarily detained lawmaker and veteran labor leader, the Free Ka Bel Movement (FKBM), together with Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Labor Center and the Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR), earnestly invite you and your organization to participate in “FREEDOM FOR KA BEL is JUSTICE FOR THE TOILING MASSES! FREE KA BEL NOW!” an international forum for Ka Bel’s freedom.

Scheduled on 07 May 2007, the forum is conceived as an international venue for civil libertarians, human rights advocates, labor activists to gather and show their support for Ka Bel and the Filipino toiling masses. It will be an important media event that will help intensify calls and put greater political pressure on the Arroyo government to immediately free Ka Bel and stop its campaign of political repression in the Philippines. The forum includes a solidarity visit to Ka Bel.

We also would like to take this opportunity to invite you to the International Solidarity Affairs Conference, as well as to the International Observers’ Mission. The two-day conference of the 23rd ISA organized by the Kilusang Mayo Uno on May 8-9 offers workshops on global trade union and political repression in the various parts of the country. Meanwhile, the IOM seeks to document and monitor expected military harassment and government-instigated fraud in the fast approaching 2007 Philippine elections.

While we cannot cover your travel and accommodation expenses, you can be rest assured that we will fully assist you throughout your stay here in the Philippines.

Again, our gratitude for your continuing support! We hope that you will be able to participate in these activities and help contribute to their success.


Yours truly,

(sgd)
Dennis N. Maga
Spokesperson, KFBM

(sgd)
Elmer Labog
Convener, FKBM
Chair, KMU

(sgd)
Daisy Arago
Convener, FKBM
Executive Director, CTUHR