Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned that intimidation tactics are being used against a group advocating labour rights. Men giving a military impression have been openly surveying the office in shifts and photographing visitors to the building. Three of the men also beckoned a volunteer to them, late one night. These activities should not be taken lightly in the Philippines, where such tactics do regularly precede assassination, and where human rights activists and labour rights campaigners commonly report threats, intimidation and violence from the military.
CASE DETAILS:
According to volunteers at the Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR), suspicious looking men with military ‘buzz cuts’ have been taking pictures and videos of people visiting the office since late September this year. The office is in Lapu-Lapu City, on Visayas island. It is reported that these men, who appear to be armed, have been taking turns watching the only entry to the organisation’s private compound.
A volunteer at CTUHR, who helps workers of the nearby Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) and victims of demolitions nearby, reported that on one occasion on 2 October a man sat outside for half a day at a table, taking photographs of people coming in and out of the office for a meeting. Late that night the volunteer was called to by three men near the compound, raising his fears that he was being targeted.
The Center’s branch office in Lapu-lapu City has started operation earlier this year and its staff and volunteers facilitate training and basic human rights education. They also supports the activities of Unity for Workers Rights (U4WR), which deals with workers rights advocacy and was also established this year.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
The Philippines has a lamentably long and strong history of violence waged by the state against human rights defenders and labour rights activists, and it is one documented extensively by the AHRC, as seen in its Urgent Appeals. These include AHRC-UAC-068-2009; AHRC-UAC-072-2009; AHRC-UAC-239-2008.
More can be found in our ongoing campaign website on extra judicial killings in the country (http://www.pinoyhr.net/ua_phil.php). Particular attention was also given to the issue in 2007 report by the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Philip Alston.
Further clarifying this issue was a document leaked earlier this year from suspected military origins, which featured the names of 105 alleged ‘targets’. Most were lawyers, journalists, human rights and political activists, as well as union and religious leaders. It should be understood that therefore any kind of military-style surveillance techniques carry significant threat in the country.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the authorities below, asking for them to investigate the threats discerned by CTUHR members and to offer support and protection.
Please be informed that the AHRC has sent a letter to the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and the Special Rapporteur on Extra-judicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions informing them of this case.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear __________,
PHILIPPINES: Military style intimidation tactics are being used against labour rights defenders
Name of the organization under threat: Cebu center for Trade Union and Human rights (CTUHR)
Date of incident: September to October 2009
Place of incident: Lapu-lapu City
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding the surveillance and intimidation tactics being used against volunteers at the Cebu Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) by men that are suspected to be from the military.
I have learnt that since late September various men have been taking pictures and videos of people coming in and out of the CTUHR Cebu Center in Lapu-lapu city, (Visayas island). It is alleged that these men, suspected to be military and who appear to be armed, have been taking turns watching the only entry to and exit from the CTUHR private compound.
On October 2 a volunteer and human rights defender at CTUHR who assists workers of the nearby Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) and who works with victims of demolitions in the surrounding zone, reported that a man sat outside for about half day at a table, taking photographs of people coming in and out of the office. . Late that night the volunteer was called to by three men near the compound, raising his fears that he was being targeted.
CTUHR Workers Center started operation in April this year, but its staff and volunteers have facilitated training and basic human rights education. The Center also supports the activities of Unity for Workers Rights (U4WR) – an organization of workers and workers rights advocates which was established in February this year.
Considering the lamentably long and strong history of violence waged by the state against human rights defenders and labour rights activists in the Philippines, I am sure you understood the threat posed by any kind of military-style surveillance techniques. Please ensure the protection and support of these civilians by initiating thorough investigations into the threat.
Yours sincerely,
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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace
JP Laurel Street, San Miguel
Manila 1005
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 736 1010
Tel: +63 2 735 6201 / 564 1451 to 80
E-mail: corres@op.gov.ph
2. Ms. Leila De Lima
Commissioner
Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 929 0102
Tel: +63 2 928 5655 / 926 6188
E-mail: chr.delima@yahoo.com or mtm_rodulfo@yahoo.com
3. Deputy Director General Jesus A. Verzosa
Chief, Philippine National Police (PNP)
Camp General Rafael Crame
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2724 8763
Tel: +63 2 726 4361/4366/8763
E-mail: ruth_cossid@yahoo.com
4. Ms. Agnes Devanadera
Secretary
Department of Justice (DoJ)
DOJ Bldg., Padre Faura
1004 Manila
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 521 1614
E-mail: raulgonzalez_doj@yahoo.com
5. Lieutenant General Victor S. Ibrado
Chief of Staff
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
AFP-GHQ Offices, Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 911 6436
Tel: +63 2 911 6001 to 50
6. Mr. Emilio Gonzalez
Deputy Ombudsman
Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military
and Other Law Enforcement Offices
3rd Floor, Ombudsman Bldg., Agham Road, Diliman
1104 Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 926 8747
Tel: +63 2 926 9032
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
