Submitted by KMU on Tue, 2006/10/17 - 10:30am.
Dear friends,
Greetings of solidarity!
We are seeking your support to participate in an International Day of Action Against Trade Union Repression and Political Killings in the Philippines this coming Nov. 16, 2006. This International Day of Action aims to amplify the call to the government of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to respect the Filipino workers fundamental right to live with dignity, to organize and fight for their economic and political demands and to exercise their trade union and democratic rights.
Under the Arroyo government, trade union and human rights violations have exacerbated. Sixty-four (64) leaders, members, organizers and supporters of trade unions and informal workers organizations have already been killed. They are but part of the more than 750 victims of political killings under the Arroyo regime as of
September 30, 2006.
The Philippines is now regarded as a very dangerous place for trade unionists, second only to Colombia in terms of trade union killings. Some 982 cases of trade union and human rights violations victimizing 77,028 workers have been recorded from Jan. 20, 2001 until June 30, 2006. Aside from killings, other violations include assault in the picketline, illegal arrest and detention, grave threat, intimidation, abduction and harassment.
Those who oppose Arroyo's anti-people policies are being detained. Most prominent is KMU Chairman Emeritus and Anakpawis Rep. Crispin "Ka Bel" Beltran who continues to be illegally detained since his arrest on Feb. 25, 2006, a day after Pres. Arroyo declared a state of emergency. Ka Bel, 73 years old and a veteran labor leader, was arrested without warrant on the basis of trumped-up charges dating back two decades ago and already been quashed by the Philippine courts. Later, the government thru the Department of Justice implicated Ka Bel in failed attempts to overthrow the Arroyo government. The government continues to reject appeals for his release even on humanitarian grounds.
This condition has warranted us to seek the support of our friends in the international community thru an International Day of Action. We sincerely hope you can join us on Nov 16, 2006 in condemning and demanding a stop to the wanton trade union and human rights violations in the country.
Thank you and we hope for your support. We would appreciate if you can confirm what actions you plan to take on this day.
In solidarity,
(sgd)
Tess Dioquino
Secretary
International Department, KMU
Noted by:
(sgd)
Elmer Labog
KMU National Chairperson
Greetings of solidarity!
We are seeking your support to participate in an International Day of Action Against Trade Union Repression and Political Killings in the Philippines this coming Nov. 16, 2006. This International Day of Action aims to amplify the call to the government of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to respect the Filipino workers fundamental right to live with dignity, to organize and fight for their economic and political demands and to exercise their trade union and democratic rights.
Under the Arroyo government, trade union and human rights violations have exacerbated. Sixty-four (64) leaders, members, organizers and supporters of trade unions and informal workers organizations have already been killed. They are but part of the more than 750 victims of political killings under the Arroyo regime as of
September 30, 2006.
The Philippines is now regarded as a very dangerous place for trade unionists, second only to Colombia in terms of trade union killings. Some 982 cases of trade union and human rights violations victimizing 77,028 workers have been recorded from Jan. 20, 2001 until June 30, 2006. Aside from killings, other violations include assault in the picketline, illegal arrest and detention, grave threat, intimidation, abduction and harassment.
Those who oppose Arroyo's anti-people policies are being detained. Most prominent is KMU Chairman Emeritus and Anakpawis Rep. Crispin "Ka Bel" Beltran who continues to be illegally detained since his arrest on Feb. 25, 2006, a day after Pres. Arroyo declared a state of emergency. Ka Bel, 73 years old and a veteran labor leader, was arrested without warrant on the basis of trumped-up charges dating back two decades ago and already been quashed by the Philippine courts. Later, the government thru the Department of Justice implicated Ka Bel in failed attempts to overthrow the Arroyo government. The government continues to reject appeals for his release even on humanitarian grounds.
This condition has warranted us to seek the support of our friends in the international community thru an International Day of Action. We sincerely hope you can join us on Nov 16, 2006 in condemning and demanding a stop to the wanton trade union and human rights violations in the country.
Thank you and we hope for your support. We would appreciate if you can confirm what actions you plan to take on this day.
In solidarity,
(sgd)
Tess Dioquino
Secretary
International Department, KMU
Noted by:
(sgd)
Elmer Labog
KMU National Chairperson
