Archive for June, 2007
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Rise in child labor in Philippines tied to CARP’s failure
By GERMELINA A. LACORTE / Davao Today
The “festering” problem of child labor in the Philippines is one of the results of the failure of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, according to child advocates and peasant groups. According to them, genuine land reform is one of the things needed by parents to be able to stop children from working.
Hungry Little Child. A child sleeps in front of a Chowking branch in Davao City. According to child advocates, landless families are forced to send their children to work as hired hands in plantations and farms. Many of them opt to move to the cities. (Photo by Keith Bacongco)
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is appalled by reports that the Sri Lankan government intends to reintroduce criminal defamation laws.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate could not muster the 60 votes needed to limit debate and move towards a final up-or-down vote on S. 1639, the Comprehensive Immigration Bill. Today’s vote effectively kills the legislation for the time being. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) voted yes, to limit debate and advance [...]
28 June 2007 — The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, South Korea reported to
the Department of Foreign Affairs that the allegation of shoplifting by an
official of the embassy as reported in the media is unfounded.
National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales does not really want peace talks. He only pretends. In fact, he is sabotaging the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations. His demand for the capitulation of the NDFP under the guise of a ceasefire without priorly addressing the roots of the armed conflict is calculated to sabotage the peace negotiations.
By Professor JOSE MARIA SISON
Chief Political Consultant
National Democratic Front of the Philippines
Far worse human rights violations can be expected to follow from the statements of US Pacific Forces commander Admiral Timothy Keating that the US is going to tighten its “anti-terror military cooperation” with the Arroyo regime and is willing to escalate the long-running US [...]
By FIDEL V. AGCAOILI
Chairperson, NDFP Human Rights Committee
The Human Rights Committee of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) condemns in the strongest possible terms the interventionist statement of US Admiral Timothy Keating, commander of the US Pacific Command, that if requested by the Arroyo regime the US is willing to fight the New [...]
MANILA — The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan rejects the pronouncements of Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo cannot be held liable for the killings under the principle of command responsibility.
Kuala Lumpur, 28 June 2007— International experts will meet here from 2 to 5 July to discuss the threat to health posed by global warming in the Asia Pacific region. With global mean temperature forecast to increase by as much as 6ºC by the end of the century, delegates will be urged to take steps [...]
International Youth Solidarity Mission Statement
28 June 2007
We, the participants of the International Youth Solidarity Mission
(IYSM), representing 15 Asia-Pacific countries1, held a human rights
workshop and subsequently conducted fact-finding missions in the
regions of Central Luzon and Bicol from 23-26 June 2007. Our aim was
to express solidarity and support for the victims and their families,
as well as to [...]
MANILA — The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) welcomed the report of the Human Rights Watch on the Philippines. The New-York based organization said, “The only real indication of the government’s commitment to end these killings will be when the perpetrators are finally held to account in a court of law.”
MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo reaffirmed today the country’s commitment to its bilateral as well as multilateral obligations in addressing regional security threats.
Human Rights Watch, one of the most respected and credible human-rights organizations in the world, has come out with a scathing report that indicts the Philippine government, particularly the military, for what it called as a “dirty war” against left-leaning activists and dissenters throughout the Philippines. Based on more than 100 interviews, the report, titled “Scared Silent: Impunity for Extrajudicial Killings in the Philippines,” details the impunity in the killings of members of leftist political parties and nongovernmental organizations, journalists, outspoken clergy, anti-mining activists, and agricultural reform activists, as well explains why the government has failed to solve any of the murders it investigated.
“There is strong evidence of a ‘dirty war’ by the armed forces against left-leaning activists and journalists,” said Sophie Richardson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “The failure to prosecute soldiers or police suspected in these killings shifts the spotlight of responsibility to the highest levels of the government.”
MANILA — Presidential appointees in government-sequestered corporations under the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) have been directed to submit their courtesy resignations not later than June 30.
Reds seek activation of NPA hit squads in cities After Ampatuan Massacre, 2009 a Record Year for Journalist Killings Worldwide CHR to military: Respect and protect human rights during martial law in Maguindanao Maguindanao, its political elite and a culture subservient to corruption U.S. Must Improve Responsiveness to Mass Atrocities; Absent UN Action, Make Clear Willingness to Act on Its Own, Says New CFR Report Martial law dilutes the Philippines’s human rights and democratic gains Martial law in Maguindanao sets ‘most dangerous precedent’ Lawyers will wear black armbands, ribbons in courts Law group shall file plunder cases against President Arroyo et al. UN Experts: Maguindanao massacre must be the start of a major reform process
Arroyo’s oil-price control a publicity stunt, cries Ibon Political Bloodbath Continues: Widow of Slain Activist Shot Dead New Wave of Protests Against Charter Change Set in April Comelec’s Automation to Worsen Election Fraud — Watchdog 2008: Another Bad Year for the Philippine Press ‘Unemployment Figures Wrong; Number of Jobless Higher’ ‘Nicole Is Not the Enemy’ ‘Nicole’: ‘My Conscience Bothers Me’ Is the Call Center Industry a Bright Spot for New Graduates? 6 Great Ways to Vent Your Frustrations Eating Dirt Is Actually Good For Children Australia Offers 150 Scholarship Slots for Philippines, Asia-Pacific mamert dolera: The horrible maguindanao massacre displays the “crueltiest 221; act of political warlordism... Don Untalan: I am also interested to buy (AROD) and the tall hybreed variety. Pls advice where to buy from Manila,... scott: Sports and politics do not mix. But the economy of the Philippines relies on Pacqiao. How much money would a... Bernadine Ebo: nov.11,2009 4:45 my husband and i wants to adopt