Transcript HONG KONG MISSION

HONG KONG MISSION
For Human Rights and Peace in
the Philippines
We Came. We Saw.
And we are Speaking up.
HK Mission for Human Rights
and Peace in the Philippines
The HK Mission is a collaborative effort of
different grassroots groups in HK to
contribute to the ongoing effort to defend
human rights in the Philippines.
The HK mission was held on 23 to 28 July,
2006
Organized in Hong Kong by the HK Campaign
for the Advancement of Human Rights and
Peace in the Philippines (HKCAHRPP)
HK Mission for Human Rights
and Peace in the Philippines
The Mission comprised
persons from various
sectors in HK, including
members from the Bar
Association, the
Journalist Association,
human rights NGOs,
church, migrant and
student groups.
HK Mission for Human Rights
and Peace in the Philippines
The mission concentrated on the
Central Luzon region, north of Manila.
We met with the following persons or
organizations during the fact-finding
mission (FFM):
7 family members of victims who have
been either killed or abducted;
1 child witness of an abduction
HK Mission for Human Rights
and Peace in the Philippines
2 victims of Harassment
Counsels for the Defense of Liberties
Chairperson of the New Patriotic
Alliance
Executive Directors of AI Philippines
Batasan 6 (Crispin Beltran)
Mayors (Plaridel, Hagonoy, Bulacan)
HK Mission for Human Rights
and Peace in the Philippines
NCCP
Bishop Alberto Ramento
Task Force Usig
Philippine Commission on Human Rights
Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation
International Federation of Journalists
Nation Union of Journalists of the Philippines
HK Mission for Human Rights
and Peace in the Philippines
But when we made requests to meet
with members of the Dept. Of Justice,
Dept. of Agrarian Reform and the
Armed Forces of the Philippines, we
received no reply.
CODAL
According to CODAL, 10 judges and 15
lawyers have been killed.
The number of killings have increased,
and many human rights lawyers have
received death threats and are
subjected to surveillance.
Crispin Beltran
Ka Bel has been
detained by the police
at the Philippine Heart
Center.
He was reportedly
arrested on the basis of
a warrant issued 21
years ago.
The other five Congress
member are also facing
legal attacks.
Philippine Human Rights
Commission
The lack of a functioning and credible witness
protection system
Should the HRC recommend the filing of
criminal charges against members of the
police, the military or any other alleged
perpetrators, public prosecutors are given the
authority to review the findings before the
charge is filed.
System of review only delays the process and
often results in rejection .
Task Force Usig
Sub Division of the PNP and report to the
chief of PNP
No time limit for the investigation of cases
The independence of TFU is in question
Investigate killings only and ignore abduction
cases, as it requires a dead body in order to
launch an investigation
Deny any state involvement before future
findings and investigation
Karen Empeno & Sherlyn
Cadapan
Members were told about more than 180
cases of forced disappearances.
Sherlyn was reportedly assisting Karen in a
research project.
Witness related during the abduction, Sherlyn,
who was pregnant, was kicked in the
stomach by one of the abductors.
Military report: Members of NPA
Ignore the release order from Supreme Court
The Killing of Bishop Alberto
Ramento
Prior to his death, Bishop Ramento told the
FFM members he had been receiving death
threats due to criticism of the government
and his vocal condemnation of extrajudicial
killings and human rights violations
A failed protection system by the police
authorities
PPT by the military “Knowing the Enemy:
Are We Missing the Point”: Identify the
church and church organizations as targets
and “enemies of the state”
A Patterns Exists
Part of the government’s plan to rid itself
of the opposition parties;
A pattern of a sharp increase in the
number of killings where there are
military detachments
The perpetrators wear ski masks,
camouflage or green garments.
The killings are committed with guns.
A Patterns Exists
Victims had affiliations with parties or
organizations that were labeled by the
government as “communist” or “terrorist” or
associated with the NPA (New People’s Army)
Killings have taken place in the victim’s
homes or in public places, often carried out
by individuals riding motorcycles.
Military men?
A Patterns Exists
Harassments and death threats
target human rights advocates,
members of progressive
organizations, etc.
Given the similarities in the profiles
of the persons being targeted, it is
clear that these killings are
politically motivated.
Melo Commission
Headed by former Supreme Court Justice Jose
Melo to investigate the series of killings. All
members have been appointed by the President.
The commission has no power to charge anyone
if they refuse to cooperate.
No prosecutory power and no witness protection
powers
Began its investigation by hearing high-ranking
police and military officers instead of the victims’
families and witnesses
Recommendations from the
HK Fact-Finding Mission
Order the Armed Forces of the
Philippines and the PNP to immediately
ensure that no further killings of
civilians occur;
Investigate the killing or disappearance
of any member of society;
Independent body to investigate any
allegations of human right abuses;
Recommendations from the
HK Fact-Finding Mission
No prior political approval or
impediments should be created to
obstruct the legal process emanating
from investigations conducted by this
body;
Fully independent, well-resourced and
secure witness protection system
should be established.
Recommendations from the
HK Fact-Finding Mission
All perpetrators should receive appropriate
punishment
Adequate reparation to the victims or their
families
Halt the use of blacklists
Protection to those who receive death threats
Invite international experts and organizations
to assist in the fact-finding and investigation
process