Youth group slams crackdown on protesters at G8
07/09/2008 | 04:41 AM
MANILA, Philippines - Militant Filipino youths scored Tuesday what they called the repression against protesters at the G-8 summit in Hokkaido, Japan, and demanded the release of the arrested protesters.
In a letter to Japanese ambassador Makoto Katsura dated July 8, the youths also reiterated their opposition to the Japan Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).
"We denounce such atrocious and barbarous acts by the Japanese authorities as they violate both the constitutional rights of Japanese citizens and the human rights of foreigners entering Japan," they said in the letter.
Excerpts of the letter were posted Wednesday on the Manila Indymedia website.
The youths also demanded the immediate release of all arrested G8 activists and all prisoners, including refugees and undocumented migrants from all detention centers nationwide.
"We also demand to stop the unilateral 'Free Trade' agreement between Japan and Philippines under JPEPA, which includes the unfair Toxic Waste trading," they said.
Citing reports from the No!G8 Legal Team, a group of volunteer lawyers and paralegals, Japanese police continued to crack down on protesters.
In one incident, they said, police "mindlessly" shattered the window of a sound truck and forcibly dragged the driver out from his seat, injuring him.
Some foreigners face deportation charges by simply profiling them according to their nationality, race and status. Some of them are Korean farmers now detained illegally inside the Japanese Immigration premises, they said.
"This portrayal of terrorism by Japanese authorities only further adds to the already elitist and authoritarian image of the G8, worst than the Taliban and Al-Qaeda," they said.
The letter was signed by Pinagkaisahan Collective, United for Peace Collective, Local Anarchist Network, Manila Indymedia, Collective of Anarchists in Bulacan, Anarchist Initiative for Direct Democracy, and NonCollective. - GMANews.TV
In a letter to Japanese ambassador Makoto Katsura dated July 8, the youths also reiterated their opposition to the Japan Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).
"We denounce such atrocious and barbarous acts by the Japanese authorities as they violate both the constitutional rights of Japanese citizens and the human rights of foreigners entering Japan," they said in the letter.
Excerpts of the letter were posted Wednesday on the Manila Indymedia website.
The youths also demanded the immediate release of all arrested G8 activists and all prisoners, including refugees and undocumented migrants from all detention centers nationwide.
"We also demand to stop the unilateral 'Free Trade' agreement between Japan and Philippines under JPEPA, which includes the unfair Toxic Waste trading," they said.
Citing reports from the No!G8 Legal Team, a group of volunteer lawyers and paralegals, Japanese police continued to crack down on protesters.
In one incident, they said, police "mindlessly" shattered the window of a sound truck and forcibly dragged the driver out from his seat, injuring him.
Some foreigners face deportation charges by simply profiling them according to their nationality, race and status. Some of them are Korean farmers now detained illegally inside the Japanese Immigration premises, they said.
"This portrayal of terrorism by Japanese authorities only further adds to the already elitist and authoritarian image of the G8, worst than the Taliban and Al-Qaeda," they said.
The letter was signed by Pinagkaisahan Collective, United for Peace Collective, Local Anarchist Network, Manila Indymedia, Collective of Anarchists in Bulacan, Anarchist Initiative for Direct Democracy, and NonCollective. - GMANews.TV
