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“We
are not terrorists”
Victims, kin call for an end to red-tagging
Calling vilification and labeling as a prelude to more human rights
violations, families of victims of extrajudicial killings and enforced
disappearances gathered today at the UP College of Mass Communication to
discuss vilification and call for a campaign to stop the red-tagging and
labeling activists, journalists and ordinary citizens.
“Vilification is a direct attack against persons who are identified as
critical to government policies,” explained Cristina Guevarra, Hustisya
secretary general. According to Guevarra, vilified persons are
characterized by the state, as “terrorists” or “enemies” and are unjustly
persecuted.
Prof. Philip Alston, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial
Killings, in his March 2007 report identified vilification as the first
cause of killings, while the second cause is the extent of
counter-insurgency operation. According to him, “……..a wide range of
groups – including human rights advocates, labor union organizers,
journalists, teachers unions, women’s groups, indigenous organizations,
religious groups, student groups, ararian reform advocates and others –
are classified as ‘fronts’ and then as ‘enemies of the state’ that are
accordingly considered to be legitimate targets.”
Speakers, including former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, a victim of
vilification himself, discussed how the state uses labeling or
vilification to justify warrantless arrests, illegal detention, torture
and worse, killings.
“Human rights violations are further justified, with the state easily
branding these people as society’s ills. Calling an end to this is the
first step in defending one’s rights,” Guevarra said.
A video showing was also presented about the families, whose relatives
were killed or disappeared, on how they continue to overcome the grief
left upon by the harassment and vilification against their loved ones.
At the end of the program, a large mirror covered with red paper,
symbolizing the “red tag” on activists, journalists and civilians was
mounted. The participants in the forum tore down the paper to reveal the
call to “assert and defend human rights.”
“Even beyond the death of their loved ones, families and friends fear for
their lives. Both activists and journalists are targets of persecution and
labeling, that’s why we need to unite and call for an end to
vilification,” Guevarra said. ###
Reference: Cristina Guevarra, Hustisya secretary general 0949-1772928 |
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The latest example of persecution and vilification
Press release
August 19, 2011
For reference: Jay Calaguing, UMA information officer
Contact #: 09291745511
Luisita farm workers faced summoned says charges false
and ridiculous
Tarlac city – Hacienda Luisita leaders who spearheaded the cultivation
inside the contested Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation braved today’s
hearing at the municipal trial court in Tarlac “Is it a crime to till your
own land? The complaint is ridiculous but we’re going to face this to
prove our innocence” said Lito Bais representing the Alyansa ng mga
Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita and acting chair of the United
Luisita Workers’ Union .
“What we have done is a legitimate action; we only acted on the basis of
our long standing claim to contest not only the 4,915 hectares the high
court prescribed to give but the whole 6,453 hectares that includes the
bank giant’s fenced lot. The complaint is just to harass the farm workers
who continuously cultivating the lot” Bais added
The AMBALA leader also said “We also questioned the Tarlac municipal trial
courts’ moral and legal authority to slap us with such complaint, our case
was already in the Supreme Court with impending resolution they should not
intervene”.
On July 15, 2011, about 200 members AMBALA, ULWU and their supporters
marched toward the RCBC fenced lot and began to cultivate the lands. They
also set up their camp out and now have cleared one hundred hectares which
is ready for planting were ten hectares are already planted with different
vegetables crops.
Bais explained “If there’s anyone who violated the law that is the
Cojuangco’s and RCBC, they have connived to go ahead with the transaction
to sell and transfer of the land where it was under contested by the farm
workers. It was a clear violation of the agrarian law no transaction,
conversion or sell of the lands or properties should be allowed in areas
where it is subjected to land distribution such as Hacienda Luisita”
“We will not be cowed to these falsely accusation and will continue our
cultivation. AMBALA is ready to face RCBC in any legal arena anytime”.
Bais ended
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