SCM Canada open letter of solidarity to WSCF Asia Pacific regarding arrests & torture
On February 6, 43 doctors and health workers were arrested in the Philippines and tortured on trumped up charges. SCM Canada, alongside our global federation, has called for their release and offered our deepest solidarity and outrage.
Our letter is below. More information on the arrests:
The World Student Christian Federation (SCM’s global network, with 109 national movement members) expressed its shock and dismay at the arrest and torture of the doctors, nurses and community health practitioners by the Armed Forces in the Philippines and the Philippines National Police. Among the arrested is World Student Christian Federation Regional Secretary Necta Montes’ uncle Dr. Alex Montes, a devoted doctor who has provided free service tirelessly to the sick, the poor and marginalized people in the Philippines, in his personal capacity as a surgeon and as the director of the health program of the United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP).
Dearest Necta,
We are gathered in Calgary for the winter meeting of the Board of the Student Christian Movement of Canada. We would like to express our deepest concerns about the abduction and torture of your uncle and the other 42 health workers at the hands of the military in the Philippines.
As member of the WSCF family we are worried about the suffering that this has brought upon you and your family. Some of us have met you in person and hold you dear to our heart and suffer with you as you endure this pain. As students and senior friends concerned and active in social justice and peace we are outraged by the continued arrogance and impunity with which the military and the police defend the power and the status quo of the elites all over the world.
Some of us have just returned from the protests at the Olympic Games in Vancouver to remind the world about the raging homelessness in our cities and specifically in Vancouver where poor people’s communities have been displaced by the games preparation and will not see the economic and social benefits promised by the authorities every time such events are held. The violence exercised by the police against those who opposed the Olympics and a world order that places profits over people was traumatizing for those of us who were there. Although the consequences of such acts are not as dire as those endured by the 43 health workers and all those who have been victimized by the extra-judicial killings in the Philippines, we are aware that the intimidation of people fighting for a more just world is a common tactic all over the world to protect the interests of the few.
We continue to believe that the militarization of the North and the South at the expenses of the marginalized and those who try advocate with them affect us all in this oppressive system. We commend your uncle and the other health workers for their service to poor communities in the Philippines and we are in solidarity with you, the SCM of the Philippines and the WSCF Asia-Pacific as you show such resilience in resisting the autocratic regime of the Gloria Arroyo government. We pray for the immediate release of your uncle and his colleagues and for the healing of their bodies and souls after such a harrowing experience. We pray for you and your family in this painful struggle. May God the liberator, the one who chooses to stand by the least of us, the one who cries out together with you for justice, accompany you, your family and your community in this trying time.
Yours in solidarity
The Board of the Student Christian Movement of Canada
PERSONAL MESSAGES OF SOLIDARITY
Alongside your comrades here in Canada, I have been praying and advocating for you, your family, and for the SCM Philippines and all activists there. In gratitude for the solidarity and unity between our movements – David Ball (General Secretary)
Necta, my prayers are with you and your family in particular, as well as your SCM and your country. Know that you are not alone and that there are many deeply concerned about this situation. -Sheryl Johnson (Co-Chair)
My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, and all
others affected by this tragedy. – Tanner Watt (Finance & Fundraising Coordinator)
I will be praying for all those affected by this cruel atrocity. – Ryan
Tristin Chapman (Anti-Oppression Co-Coordinator)
And I pray that they may find strength and courage to endure the hardships they are facing, and that the community of Christ will work
together to uphold our values of justice and mercy. – Kristine Deisman (Western Coordinator)
May the peace of Christ and the love of friends near and far help you though this time of hardship. – Katherine Tuck (Outreach Coordinator)
My prayer is that you and your family would know God’s justice and liberation. Peace. – Geoff Dice (Co-Chair)
With prayers for you, for those unjustly incarcerated, and for all who work to overcome the unjust systems in this world. Godspeed. – Chris Miller (Eastern Coordinator)
Our prayers are with you, and people of integrity everywhere are sorrowed by these atrocities and called to action. – Lana Wilson (Communications & Resources Coordinator)
