Groups protest political killings of Filipino women human rights defenders
24 April 2006 6:00 pm

About twenty activists from South and Southeast Asia picketed in front of the Philippine embassy in Bangkok, to protest the escalating  trend of political killings in the country.
 
Led by the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD), the group raised their concern on Filipino women becoming more prominent as victims of threats, intimidation, arrests, detention, enforced disappearance and killings.About twenty activists from South and Southeast Asia picketed in front of the Philippine embassy in Bangkok, to protest the escalating  trend of political killings in the country.
 
Led by the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD), the group raised their concern on Filipino women becoming more prominent as victims of threats, intimidation, arrests, detention, enforced disappearance and killings.

APWLD cited that "as of the month of April this year, there have been 68 women killed under the administration of Philippine President Arroyo – all deaths are documented as political killings by national human rights organisations.  

“These women are part of the 500 human rights defenders who have been killed," said APWLD regional coordinator, Titi Soentoro, during the protest.

Soentoro, an Indonesian national, said that this is reminiscent of the Suharto regime, which cost thousands of lives of activists in Indonesia during his regime from 1965-1998.

Protesters from Thailand, Burma, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Korea , India , Malaysia, Singapore , and  Philippines, who were present at the demonstration, agreed with the comparison.  

Meanwhile, at the event, several delegates were invited inside the embassy to present their statement to Philippine Ambassador Antonio V. Rodriguez.

The statement raised particular concern that members of Congress, such as Ms. Liza Maza, from the GABRIELA Womens’ Party list, have been charged with rebellion and have been under protective custody of the House of Representatives, along with five other Congress people.

Rodriguez  expressed sympathy as he said he supported the party list in the last elections, but added that if the "Batasan 5" were found to be involved in the plot to topple the government, then justice has to be served.  

The ‘Batasan 5’ referred to members of Congress representing Party list organisations, who were suspected of supporting destabilisation plans in the government.

FORUM-ASIA highlighted concerns that the escalation of violence on ordinary grassroots organisers and peasant activists coincided with popular demands for the resignation of the President, indicating political repression of legitimate dissent.

Rodriguez responded that the state has the right to protect itself from attack, saying "I am not justifying these killings.

“But you must admit that insurgency has escalated in the Philippines.  The government has to protect itself."  

APWLD stressed that "the women and men who were killed were not from armed groups nor involved in any illegal activities."

Similar actions have been taken by women activists in Indonesia, while further protests are being planned for Malaysia and Korea.
 
Other organisations who joined the picket were ALTSEAN-Burma, Strategic Initiatives of Pinoys Abroad (SIPA), Nepalese students, Peace Foundation, and Rural Reconstruction Alumni and Friends Association (RRAFA).