UCCP: Killings in Philippines have continued unabated and with a vengeance

May 03, 2007

PRESS STATEMENT

In March this year, a multi-sectoral delegation of human rights advocates traveled to Canada, the United States, and Switzerland to raise in the international arena the issue of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and other forms of political repression in the Philippines. Named the Ecumenical Voice for Human Rights and Peace in the Philippines, the team presented ?Let The Stones Cry Out: An Ecumenical Report on Human Rights in the Philippines and Call To Action? to ecumenical bodies, churches, legislators, and the United Nations Human Rights Council. A highlight of the trip was a hearing conducted by the US Senate Committee on Human Rights headed by Senator Barbara Boxer. For a considerable length of time, the media spotlight was focused on the Philippines following that trip. We had hoped that such an international exposure of the issue would move the Philippine President to bring to an end the sorry state of human rights in the country.

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Philippines: Human Rights Violations and the Urgency of Solidarity and Action

The following is a Statement of the General Board of Church and Society of

The United Methodist Church adopted April 28, 2007

?Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands at a distance; for truth stumbles in the public square, and righteousness cannot enter. Truth is lacking, and whoever turns from evil is despoiled. The Lord saw it and it displeased him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, and was appalled that there was no one to intervene??(Isaiah 59: 14-16 NRSV)
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The fight goes on: Press freedom in South Asia 2006-2007

Although another tumultuous year has passed in South Asia, overshadowed by political instability, poverty and state repression, journalists and media workers throughout the region have continued their battle for a free press.

?It is clearer than ever that it takes extraordinary courage, dedication and commitment for journalists to tell the essential stories of our communities in the region,? said Jacqueline Park, director, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Asia-Pacific.
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Philippines Supreme Court Orders Release of Partylist Nominees

MANILA — The Supreme Court ordered on Thursday the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to immediately disclose and release the names of the nominees of party-list groups or organizations accredited to participate in the party-list elections on May 14.
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