The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today welcomed the recent conviction in the Dominican Republic of Edri Vladimir “Vla” Pujols for the 2004 murder of journalist Juan And?jar as a sign that the government would not allow journalist to be easy targets of violence and that their attackers would face prosecution.
(more…)
Government Uses RELA Force on Migrant Workers
(New York, May 9, 2007) ? The Malaysian government should immediately take steps to dissolve the People?s Volunteer Corps (Ikatan Relawan Rakyat or RELA), responsible for numerous cases of illegal detentions, unlawful use of force, and extortion, Human Rights Watch said today.
The Malaysian government has authorized almost half a million RELA volunteers to help maintain public order, primarily through the apprehension of undocumented migrant workers, most of whom come to Malaysia to augment Malaysia?s insufficient labor force. In carrying out their duties, RELA volunteers often employ unnecessary force and illegal policing practices. Fully uniformed, armed, and unaccompanied by police or immigration officers, they break into migrant lodgings in the middle of the night without warrants, brutalize inhabitants, extort money, and confiscate cell phones, clothing, jewelry, and household goods, before handcuffing migrants and transporting them to detention camps for ?illegal immigrants.?
(more…)
12 presidents from top Asian, Middle Eastern universities join in asking for cooperation in solving energy and environmental concerns
May 8, 2007 — Proclaiming that “energy and environmental issues represent the greatest challenges of this century,” Washington University Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton joined presidents of 12 other premier research universities in calling for universities worldwide to marshal their resources for a global effort to secure a brighter, sustainable future.
(more…)
New York City & Los Angeles?In nationally-coordinated events in California and New York last April 28, 29 and May 4, over 350 Filipino youth gathered to show unwavering support for KABATAAN Partylist, the leading and only partylist representing the youth sector in the upcoming elections in the Philippines. Using rock and acoustic music, hip hop, poetry, and shadow theater, Filipino youth used their creativity to show how their local issues are connected with the issues of youth in the Philippines addressed by the KABATAAN Partylist.
(more…)
MANILA, Philippines ? In a remittance slip, there was an additional US$50 that Cesar Dimasupil?s daughter Arlene sent from London. But he remained stoic. ?That [money] would just even things out,? Dimasupil says of the dilemma that most families of overseas Filipino workers are facing under a stronger peso and a record-low inflation rate.
Dimasupil, like most Filipinos brought up in a male-as-strong society, says he doesn?t know if he should celebrate for getting the added money from something he said he shouldn?t have asked from his daughter in the first place. ?But what can I do? They say the strong peso could lead to lower prices. That hasn?t happened in the past months,? Dimasupil said.