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News Release
September 1, 2007
Sison being given Guantanamo treatment
by Dutch
government -- Bayan
The umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan today slammed the grossly
inhumane treatment of arrested Philippine leader Prof. Jose Ma. Sison,
saying that the Dutch government is “giving Prof. Sison the Guantanamo
treatment.”
Guantanamo is the prison facility of the United States government where
alleged terror suspects are brought and detained and where rights abuses
have become prevalent.
“Prof. Sison is being held incommunicado. He is being denied his right to
a doctor, prescription medicines as well as visits from his family. His
rights as a prisoner are being violated by the Dutch government,” said
Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr.
“It appears that behind the ill-treatment of Sison is the fact the the
Dutch government still considers him a terrorist despite his victory in
the European Courts on his de-listing. The terrorist label has often been
used to justify tortures and other abuses of prisoners. We will hold the
Dutch government responsible for any harm that may befall Sison during his
detention at the Dutch prison facility,” Reyes said.
Bayan said that the continuing inhumane treatment of Prof. Sison will
spark more protests in the Philippines and other parts of the world.
“The United States, Netherlands and Philippine governments are all singing
the same tune that Prof. Sison is a terrorist. They are ganging up on Joma
in the vain hope that they can justify their own wars on terror. The
murder charges are just a means to persecute and vilify Sison and the
cause he stands for,” Reyes said.
“We warn the US government from taking any measures that would interfere
in the case of Prof. Sison. The US should keep its nose out of this matter
and should stop invoking its discredited war on terror just so it could go
after Prof. Sison,” Reyes added.
Bayan reiterated that Sison's case is not a mere criminal proceeding.
“This is not just an ordinary murder case. This is politically motivated
from the very beginning. The filing of the case is along the lines of the
Arroyo government's all out war policy and disinterest in pursuing peace
negotiations,” Reyes said.
“What causes more outrage is that despite the flimsy evidence against
Sison, the Dutch government continues to keep him locked away in
isolation. They are desperately trying to break his spirit,” the Bayan
leader said.
Bayan said that more protest actions worldwide are being planned to
coincide with Sison's next appearance in court on September 7.
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Pahayag ng BAYAN-Bikol hinggil sa pag-aresto kay
Propesor Jose Maria Sison
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Solidarity
to Jose Maria Sison and to all Philippine comrades! Freedom for Jose Maria
Sison!
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Ambassador Kenney's denial of US involvement in
Sison arrest untruthful
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Dutch nationals
welcomed, guaranteed safety in revolutionary areas—CPP |
