Labor group appreciates work of UN Rapporteur; asks UN to look into Ka Bel's illegal detention

The Kilusang Mayo Uno Labor Center expressed approval to the initial findings of United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary, or Special Executions, Prof. Philip Alston regarding his investigation on the cases of killings of progressives and journalists.

“It’s good that there are persons like Prof Alston who can see the truth regarding human rights abuses committed by the Arroyo government,” stated KMU Secretary-General and Anakpawis Partylist Nominee Joel Maglunsod.

In a briefing of Prof. Alston today attended by the KMU International Department, the labor center reiterated their appeal to the UN Rapporteur to bring to attention to the UN the illegal detention case of Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran. Rep. Beltran has been illegal detained for almost a year now for unfounded rebellion charges.

On February 26 there will be a nationally-coordinated protest to be led by workers to press Beltran’s immediate freedom. This action will be supported by Free Ka Bel Movement chapters in Japan, Korea, Germany, Canada, Australia, USA and other countries.

According to Maglunsod, out of the 840 victims of extrajudicial killings under the Arroyo regime, 76 are from the ranks of unionist and labor activists. Up to date justice has been elusive for the victims and their survivors and not a single suspect has been arrested lest punished. Among these are the murder cases of Nestle union president Diosdado “Ka Fort” Fortuna, the stabbing of labor leader and teacher Vicky Samonte from Caraga and the violent dispersals of workers on strike.

The KMU also insisted that the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Justice stop blacklisting foreigners who are sympathetic to the families of political killings. More than 20 foreigners who attended the International Labor Solidarity Mission last 2006 are banned by the Arroyo regime from entering the country. “The report of Prof. Alston will strengthen the local and international pressure on Malacañang to stop the political killings and the abuse of human rights,” ended Maglunsod.