March 16, 2004

 A Call for Genuine Respect for Human Rights
as the Foundation of Just and Lasting Peace

“Because everyone will work for justice there will be peace and security forever! (Isaiah 32:17)

Today, on the occasion of the sixth year of signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), we take this opportune time to remind both parties to the agreement to immediately and fully implement this very significant accord. As advocates of just and lasting peace, we reiterate our commitment to the realization of CARHRIHL which seeks to confront, remedy and prevent the most serious human rights violations as well as to uphold, protect and promote the full scope of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Recognizing that respect for human rights and international humanitarian law is crucial in laying the basis for a just and lasting peace, we congratulated the GRP and NDFP for achieving a major breakthrough in the formal peace talks with the signing of CARHRIHL on March 16, 1998. Since then, however, little or no progress has been made in implementing this agreement.  Aware of continuing violations and gross neglect of human rights, we are once again compelled to be vigilant in pursuing justice for the hapless victims and their families. We raise our voices in demanding: 

·       Justice for Atty. Juvy Magsino, Leyma Fortu, Eden Marcellana, Eddie Gumanoy and all human rights, justice and peace advocates who suffered persecution and death while confronting the state and state agents for their record of human rights violations…

·       Fair and thorough investigation and immediate prosecution of top military officers and elements for involvement in summary executions, warrantless arrests, enforced disappearances, indiscriminate bombings and numerous cases of military abuses especially in Southern Tagalog and Mindanao…

·       Justice and compensation for victims of human rights violations during the Marcos regime who continue to be neglected while the Marcoses and their conspirators have practically returned to power…

·       Immediate release of Donato Continente, Zenaida Llesis, Mamburao Six and all political prisoners who have been wrongly charged, detained, or convicted through the unjust criminalization of political cases…

·       A  stop to arbitrary terrorist listing and to legislations like the Anti-Terrorism Bill that legalize warrantless arrests and other violations of civil liberties…

·       Justice for urban poor, peasants and indigenous people who have been evicted from their homes, land and livelihood through incursions from mining, real-estate, logging, tourism and other similar projects… 

·       Higher wages, job security and humane working conditions for laborers; adequate housing, health care, education and other social services for the people… 

We pledge to continue pursuing the cause of peace as we relentlessly carry on to promote, defend and assert the rights and aspirations of the Filipino people as embodied in the CARHRIHL. In the name of peace and justice, we call on the GRP and NDFP to pursue meaningful socio-economic reforms, stop human rights violations, and implement the CARHRIHL and all previous bilateral agreements for the benefit of the Filipino people.

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