SCM Solidarity Statement on SCM Philippines and the Repression of Activists
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Passed by consensus of SCM General Board (August 24, 2009)
The Student Christian Movement of Canada (SCM) stands in solidarity with members of the Student Christian Movement of the Philippines, the League of Filipino Students, and other activists who were treated violently and arrested during a peaceful protest against corrupt government spending on August 19, 2009.
The Student Christian Movement (SCM) is an ecumenical network of student collectives engaged in spirituality and progressive social justice issues at universities across Canada. SCM Canada strives to be a healing community, embraces radical ecumenism and interfaith work, acts in solidarity with the oppressed, resists structures of domination, and works for justice in its varied forms and settings.
We understand that the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and the Manila Police District – Philippine National Police used unnecessary, inhumane tactics to end a peaceful, student protest outside of the Malacañang gates in Manila. This involved the use of nightsticks, sexual harassment and undressing of female students, and injury-inflicting body pinning. These actions left 17 students with mild to serious injuries and 20 students are currently in custody.
The purpose of the rally was to denounce and bring awareness to the excessive spending during President Arroyo’s tour to the United States in early August. The dinner bills alone from this tour totalled over $40,000 USD. This excessive spending is clearly inappropriate and demonstrates a lack of regard for impoverished Filipino/as and an unsuitable use of public funds. This same unjust treatment of citizens is also seen in the way the student protestors were treated and in the overall suppression of public critique.
We demand for the release and clearance of any charges for the 20 student protestors and for a transparent investigation of the policing practices used on this occasion and in general. As a signatory to the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, we request that the Philippines live up to its stated commitments and ensure a peaceful existence for all citizens, as well as its constitutional guarantee of the right to assemble and freedom of speech (found in Article 3, Section 4 of the constitution of the Philippines).
As the Student Christian Movement of Canada, we believe that efforts to hold governments accountable and to make their spending and actions known are necessary for a healthy democracy and we endeavour to do this also with our own government in Canada. We are deeply saddened by the treatment of our fellow students in the Philippines and offer our deepest prayers and support in the hope that this situation will be rectified and not repeated in the future.
By proclaiming God’s preferential option for the poor and marginalized, we act in solidarity with the oppressed to resist structures of domination and realize justice in this world. (SCM Living Prayer Mission Statement)
As partners in the cause of justice and societal transformation,
Statement passed by full consensus of the elected
General Board of the Student Christian Movement of Canada
Statement passed by full consensus of the elected
General Board of the Student Christian Movement of Canada
To: SCM Philippines; H.E. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President of the Republic of the Philippines, Director General Jesus Versos, Chief, Philippine National Police (PNP), Hon. Leila de Lima, Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights, Hon. Agnes Devanadera, Secretary, Department of Justice, Nieves Confesor, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Mr. Ambeyi Ligabo, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and Ms. Margret Sekaggya, Special Representative of the Secretary General for human rights defenders
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Send letters/ fax messages calling :
1. Release of 20 students unjust, arbitrarily arrested by the Manila Police District.
2. Investigation and prosecution of the police elements and commanding officer who were involved in the violent dispersal and arbitrary arrests.
3. The Philippine Government to be reminded that it is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and that it is also a party to all the major Human Rights instruments, thus it is bound to observe all of these instruments’ provisions.
You may send your communications to:
H.E. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President of the Republic
Malacanang Palace,
JP Laurel St., San Miguel
Manila Philippines
Fax: (+632) 742-1641 / 929-3968
E-mail: corres@op.gov.ph / opnet@ops.gov.ph
Director General Jesus Versosa
Chief, Philippine National Police (PNP)
Camp General Rafael Crame
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Tel: +63 2 726 4361/4366/8763
Fax: +63 2724 8763
Email: bluetree73@gmail.com
Hon. Leila de Lima
Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., UP Complex
Commonwealth Avenue
Diliman, Quezon City
Philippines
Fax: (+632) 929 0102
Email: drpvq@chr.gov.ph
Hon. Agnes Devanadera
Secretary, Department of Justice
Padre Faura St., Manila
Direct Line 521-8344; 5213721
Trunkline 523-84-81 loc.214
Fax: (+632) 521-1614
Email sad@doj.gov.ph
Nieves Confesor
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
Office of the Peace Process
7th Floor Agustin Building I
Emerald Avenue
Pasig City 1605
Fax: +63 (2) 635 9579
osec@opapp.gov.ph
Mr. Ambeyi Ligabo
Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
C/o OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (ATTN: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION)
MS.Margret Sekaggya
Special Representative of the Secretary General for human rights defenders
Room 1-040
C/o OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (ATTN: SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS)
