Monday, April 04, 2005

NR0404:RP solons seek intl solidarity against US war on terror

From the Office of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
Philippine House of Representatives
News Release April 4, 2005
South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: paggawa@edsamail.com.ph, anakpawis2003@yahoo.com
Visit geocities.com/ap_news

Philippine solons urge foreign counterparts to forge international solidarity against political repression, US global campaign of terror

On the second day of the 112th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly, Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) Party-list Representative Crispin Beltran today said that he and the other progressive representatives from Bayan Muna (People First) party-list and Gabriela Women's Party (GWP) hope to form links with their foreign counterparts from all over the world in opposing violations to civil liberties and human rights of activists and civilians sympathetic to progressive political parties and their respective causes.

Beltran along with fellow Anakpawis Representative and peasant leader Rafael Mariano are attending the 112th IPU being held in the country from April 3-8 at the Philippine International Convention Center. Beltran said that he is making the rounds in the IPU to seek the help and support of his foreign counterparts in denouncing the endless series of human rights violations and activist killings being perpetrated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the silence of the Macapagal-Arroyo government regarding the same.

"Even as the progressive bloc of Philippine solons seek to unite with the issues being laid down by our foreign counterparts regarding the political and economic concerns in their respective countries which primarily affect the welfare of the working people, we also hope to get their support in the campaign in the Philippines against intensifying political repression. We hope that the delegations from t he various counties from the IPU will see it fit to support the cause of the Filipino people against political repression and forge international solidarity behind it," he said.

Beltran said that the IPU was a very good venue wherein parliamentary representatives from all over the world can unite behind specific political and economic calls, "For instance against the US war against terrorism and the US government's continued occupation of Iraq and burgeoning attacks against other nations asserting national independence," he said. "The Philippine government remains subservient to US political, economic and military interests. This unjust and unequal relationship is at the core of the country's political and economic backwardness."

"The global economic crisis should also prompt leaders of the world to stand up against liberalization and privatization: they're the scourge that's destroying economies and the livelihood of billions of people all over the world," he said. The veteran labor leader said the Philippine delegation to the IPU should not hesitate to share with their foreign counterparts the true situation in the Philippines. "We should not be afraid or hesitant to admit to the world the worsening situation on the Philippines; we should show an honest picture of the Philippines in the international community, because only then can we even begin to come up with collective solutions to common global problems," he said.

Beltran said that he is sharing with the foreign delegates the reports from supporters and lawyers regarding the abuse of rights and due process of law, the plans to ram though a national ID system and an anti-terror law, and the murder and abduction of political activists.

"The Macapagal-Arroyo government, no doubt, is keeping a tight lip regarding the activist killings, as well as the worsening economic conditions in the country characterized by the relentless oil price hikes, mass unemployment, and widespread homelessness and general poverty." Beltran said that through the course of investigation and discussions of progressive Philippine solons with local human rights groups confirm that the Philippine government is becoming increasingly militaristic. "The Philippine government claims to be a defender of democracy an upholder of human rights, but since January 2005, 32 political activists and four journalists have been killed and none of the perpetrators have been brought to justice."#

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