Amnesty Int'l to govt: Break chain of impunity
08/29/2008 | 11:03 PM
(Update) MANILA, Philippines - Leaders of Amnesty International on Friday urged the Philippine government to take immediate action “to break the chain of impunity" on political killings and enforced disappearances.
In an open letter issued a day before the world commemorates 25th International Day of the Disappeared, AI directors from 14 countries urged government to implement more effective measures to stop the killings.
The letter was signed by 14 leaders from the USA, Japan, Germany, European Union, France, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Austria, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Philippines, and Netherlands.
AI re-launched its campaign against political killings and enforced disappearances by releasing a campaign briefing titled “Witnessing Justice – Break the Chain of Impunity."
Dr. Aurora Parong, section director of AI-Philippines, said that the conduct of “comprehensive investigations and effective protection of witnesses" are measures which the government must implement to stop the killings in the country.
“Witnesses and families of victims must be able to step forward without fear of reprisals," she said.
According to the group, at least 200 political killings and almost 200 enforced disappearances have reportedly occurred in the Philippines since 2001.
Although 2007 saw a decrease in the number of cases reported, the global human rights organization claimed that “impunity persists" in the country.
AI’s campaign against political killings and enforced disappearances came at a time when three journalists and a former radio broadcaster were gunned down in recent months.
“Details of attacks show that he killings are not an unconnected series of criminal murders but are part of a politically-motivated pattern of killings targeting human rights, trade union, church and media workers, members of left-wing political parties, and indigenous group leaders," the AI pointed out.
The group also pointed out that the families of victims are still complaining about delays in the investigations, inadequate crime scene analysis, and investigators' unwillingness to interview military or police personnel as suspects.
The group noted that there might be “few effective investigations" but that arrests, prosecution, and conviction of those responsible are still “rare."
“AI is calling on the Philippine government to ensure prompt, impartial and effective investigations of extra judicial executions and enforced disappearances. All suspected perpetrators must be prosecuted in proceedings, which meet international standard of fairness," Parong said.
The group also pointed out that weaknesses in the government's Witness Protection Program (WPP).
AI claimed that witnesses have told them that instead of seeking assistance from the government’s WPP, they chose the sanctuary of the church where they feel more protected.
“This underscores the need to strengthen the WPP and to address the factors that prevent witnesses from coming forward," Parong said.
Meanwhile, the Center for Women’s Resources (CWR), a research and training institute, reported that 30 women remain missing to this day.
The CWR claimed that these women were abducted since Arroyo came into power in 2001.
“Enforced disappearance is a clandestine repressive strategy committed by public authorities to spread terror within the society. It turns human being into non-being, denying the right of persons to exist or to have an identity," said Jojo Guan, executive director of CWR.
According to the CWR, a disappeared person becomes “totally defenseless" in the hands of his or her abductors and that women-victims are “doubly jeopardized" because of their being a woman. The CWR likewise said that women are “more vulnerable" to sexual abuses and rape.
Further, the CWR said that aside from being victims themselves, women also bear severe suffering as they wait eternally for the return of their loved ones, especially mothers who are faced with the constant uncertainty about the whereabouts of their missing children or husband.
The United Nations recognizes enforced disappearance as an international crime against humanity, CWR added.
“The abductors abuse their powers with impunity and reduce law and order to something negligible," Guan said. - GMANews.TV
In an open letter issued a day before the world commemorates 25th International Day of the Disappeared, AI directors from 14 countries urged government to implement more effective measures to stop the killings.
The letter was signed by 14 leaders from the USA, Japan, Germany, European Union, France, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Austria, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Philippines, and Netherlands.
AI re-launched its campaign against political killings and enforced disappearances by releasing a campaign briefing titled “Witnessing Justice – Break the Chain of Impunity."
Dr. Aurora Parong, section director of AI-Philippines, said that the conduct of “comprehensive investigations and effective protection of witnesses" are measures which the government must implement to stop the killings in the country.
“Witnesses and families of victims must be able to step forward without fear of reprisals," she said.
According to the group, at least 200 political killings and almost 200 enforced disappearances have reportedly occurred in the Philippines since 2001.
Although 2007 saw a decrease in the number of cases reported, the global human rights organization claimed that “impunity persists" in the country.
AI’s campaign against political killings and enforced disappearances came at a time when three journalists and a former radio broadcaster were gunned down in recent months.
“Details of attacks show that he killings are not an unconnected series of criminal murders but are part of a politically-motivated pattern of killings targeting human rights, trade union, church and media workers, members of left-wing political parties, and indigenous group leaders," the AI pointed out.
The group also pointed out that the families of victims are still complaining about delays in the investigations, inadequate crime scene analysis, and investigators' unwillingness to interview military or police personnel as suspects.
The group noted that there might be “few effective investigations" but that arrests, prosecution, and conviction of those responsible are still “rare."
“AI is calling on the Philippine government to ensure prompt, impartial and effective investigations of extra judicial executions and enforced disappearances. All suspected perpetrators must be prosecuted in proceedings, which meet international standard of fairness," Parong said.
The group also pointed out that weaknesses in the government's Witness Protection Program (WPP).
AI claimed that witnesses have told them that instead of seeking assistance from the government’s WPP, they chose the sanctuary of the church where they feel more protected.
“This underscores the need to strengthen the WPP and to address the factors that prevent witnesses from coming forward," Parong said.
Meanwhile, the Center for Women’s Resources (CWR), a research and training institute, reported that 30 women remain missing to this day.
The CWR claimed that these women were abducted since Arroyo came into power in 2001.
“Enforced disappearance is a clandestine repressive strategy committed by public authorities to spread terror within the society. It turns human being into non-being, denying the right of persons to exist or to have an identity," said Jojo Guan, executive director of CWR.
According to the CWR, a disappeared person becomes “totally defenseless" in the hands of his or her abductors and that women-victims are “doubly jeopardized" because of their being a woman. The CWR likewise said that women are “more vulnerable" to sexual abuses and rape.
Further, the CWR said that aside from being victims themselves, women also bear severe suffering as they wait eternally for the return of their loved ones, especially mothers who are faced with the constant uncertainty about the whereabouts of their missing children or husband.
The United Nations recognizes enforced disappearance as an international crime against humanity, CWR added.
“The abductors abuse their powers with impunity and reduce law and order to something negligible," Guan said. - GMANews.TV
