To The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
In Oslo
 
Norway
 
 
 
Oslo, 03/09/2007
Dear Excellency, Sir,
 
 
The arrest of Professor Jose Maria Sison and the harassing of those who cry for justice in the Philippines !
 
The recent arrest of professor Jose Maria Sison by Dutch police is a sad reaction to the proven atrocities committed by the present Philippine government. By this act the Dutch government takes sides not only for the oppressive Arroyo Government, but it turns itself into an agent for George W. Bush's destructive  “War on Terror”. After the recent EU verdict that refused to list Professor Sison as a terrorist and the National Democratic Front (NDF) as a terrorist organisation, we are disturbed by the actions of your Government and we strongly condemn it!
 
As jury members at the Permanent People's Tribunal Second Session on the crisis in the Philippines in the Hague, March 2007 we heard compelling evidence of the the dramatic and worsening human rights situation in the Philippines. We concluded that the Philippine government and the Bush administration have knowingly and willingly colluded in implementing the US “war on terror” in Southeast Asia and in the Philippines . We found that the Armed Forces of the Philippines have a central role in a majority of the atrocities of extra-judicial killings, of massacres, of tortures, of communities destroyed and dispersed, and that this is a key component and instrument in the “war on terror” declared by the US Government and embraced by the Arroyo Government.
 
As members of the jury we listened to the impassioned plea by Archbishop Desmond Tutu to Gloria Macapagal Arroyo when he said:
 
 “…. I call out to you from South Africa : Stop the terror inflicted on those who seek justice in your land. Stop using the so called war against terrorism to oppress and kill your own people! The great leader and fighter for our dignity and freedom, Nelson Mandela, was once branded a terrorist, even by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

He has shown to us that Truth and reconciliation is the only way to peace with justice…..”
 
During the struggle against Apartheid we pleaded with the oppressors in Pretoria to “Free Nelson Mandela!” Today we say to The Dutch Government:
 
Free Jose Maria Sison and stop harassing those who seek justice in the Philippines !
 
 
 
 
Oystein Tveter
 
Human Rights Attorney and Member of the Jury of Permanent People's Tribunal Second Session on the Philippines