For immediate release

December 9, 2007

Human Right Day 2007

Filipinos in Japan Protest Against Continued Political Killings, Call for GMA's Ouster

Filipinos joined by Burmese and Japanese human rights groups gathered in Nagoya and Tokyo on December 8 and 9 to protest against extra judicial killings, enforced disappearances  and other violations of human rights in the Philippines which is “one of the serious crimes committed by the Arroyo regime against the Filipino people and against humanity”,  says Migrante – Japan, one of the lead organizers of the protest.

Philip Alston, UN special rapporteur on extra judicial , summary or arbitrary executions earlier in his report to the UN Commission on Human Rights pinned the blame on the military for the killing and abduction of hundreds of political activists.  “Alston's report confirmed what the world already knew all along.  The Arroyo government must be held accountable for institutionalizing violence as a policy to contain political dissent, and for harboring criminals within the ranks of its armed forces,” said Migrante – Japan spokesperson Nestor Puno.

Until now, not even one of more than 850 cases of extra judicial killing and abduction since President Arroyo assumed the presidency in 2001 has been resolved, and no high ranking official in government and the armed forces has been made accountable to these violations. “The culture of impunity continuous and the steps taken by the Arroyo regime are nothing but lip service and damage control to allay fears of foreign investors”, Puno said.

“The human rights record of the Arroyo government is no doubt the worse since President Marcos, and the world knows about that.  Now, with all these scandals of massive corruption and bribery hounding her government, GMA must rethink her options – either she steps down or be ousted by yet another popular people's uprising”, Puno added.

Meanwhile,  Migrante – Japan said that the alleged November 29 siege in a Makati hotel a week ago which resulted in the arrest of more than 50 individuals including prominent political personalities and members of the media“is just the tip of the iceberg.  More of this kind will surely unfold as the Arroyo government continues with its failed governance and not until there is closure to numerous scandals that is crippling the nation today,” Puno lamented.

Protesters in Nagoya numbering more than a hundred gathered at Hisaya Hiroba before marching around Sakae, Nagoya's financial and entertainment district where they distributed copies of a prepared statement urging the Arroyo government to STOP human rights violations and to step down.

Meanwhile, Filipinos in Tokyo joined by Burmese and Japanese rights groups gathered at Ebisu Park for the traditional commemoration of International Human Rights Day. After a two-hour program where Filipinos and Burmese speakers took turns in lambasting their respective governments for violations of human rights, the Filipino contingent marched to the Philippine Embassy in Roppongi to further dramatize their protest. They were joined in by various Japanese human rights groups and leaders of the Burmese community in Japan.  A candle light march from the Philippine Embassy to Roppongi station capped the day's protest activity.

“The protests will continue since justice remains elusive for hundreds of victims and their families. Also, harassment and intimidation of progressive organizations like GABRIELA is happening not just in the Philippines but even here in Japan.  GBRIELA – Japan through its coordinating body also joined the protest action because one Tokyo embassy official has openly and maliciously labeled the organization as 'subversive' which is tantamount to placing the organization and other progressive groups here as 'enemies of the state'.  It endangers our members for all of us can be targets of repression too. We certainly cannot and will never allow this to happen.” Puno said.

“We hope more and more people and institutions will exert pressure on the Arroyo government to decisively end the policy of extra judicial killings, abductions, harassment and intimidation of legitimate organizations fighting for peace, justice, freedom and genuine social transformation in the Philippines” he added.

Migrante – Japan  and its allies have lobbied the Japanese government to withdraw or stop foreign aid to the Arroyo government until these violations of human rights were resolved and justice rendered to all the victims and their families.###

Download statement

Resist State Terrorism!

Justice for All Victims of Extra Judicial Killing, Abduction, and other Human Rights Violations in the Philippines!

            We, migrant Filipinos in Japan call on the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo government to stop its policy of repression and state terrorism to contain political dissent and to prolong its stay in power.  We demand respect for the people's civil and political rights, and seek justice for all victims of human rights violations in the Philippines.

            Since Gloria Arroyo assumed the presidency in 2001, there has been more than 850 reported cases of extra judicial killing and enforced disappearance victimizing mainly political activists and others who are openly opposed to the policies of her government.  The statistics are so alarming that even international bodies such as the United Nations (UN), Amnesty International (AI), and the the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) have condemned these violations and demanded the Arroyo government to take decisive actions to end the killings and abuses and to render justice for  all the victims and their families.

            But sadly, the Arroyo government has done nothing except damage control to allay fears of foreign investors.  The victims and their families continue to cry out for justice while the perpetrators of these crimes remain at large.

            As Filipinos, we are bound by our duties to act and do something about the current state of our nation. We cannot allow a government that relies heavily on the blood, sweat and tears of more than 8 million Filipino migrants overseas to continue its policy of repression and state terrorism.  A government that has no regard for human rights, a government that plunders the nation through massive corruption and bribery, and a government that betrays the people's interest by entering into onerous deals like the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) does not deserve the support of the Filipino people.

            As we celebrate International Human Rights Day, we ask all peace and freedom-loving Filipinos in Japan, and in other parts of the world to unite and defend the nation against a hawkish government that has lost the thrust of its people.

            We  have enough of you, Gloria!  We cannot take another three years of poverty and misery, of repression and state terrorism.  Your time is up!

Uphold and Respect Human Rights in the Philippines!

Justice for All Victims of Human Rights Violations in the Philippines!

Resist State Terrorism! Never Again to Martial Law!

GMA: Step Down or Be Ousted!

MIGRANTE-Japan     PWL Japan    KAFIN    FICAP    GABRIELA – Japan Coordinating Body

Download statement

Home