Archives: Media Releases

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Geertman’s killing is not a simple robbery with homicide, it’s MURDER

"Geertman’s death is state-perpetrated, it is a case of extrajudicial killing," said Cristina Palabay, secretary general of Karapatan, in reaction to the resolution issued by the Office of the City Prosecutor in San Fernando City, Pampanga on the killing of Dutch lay worker, Wilhelm Geertman.  The resolution on the preliminary investigation finds probable cause to …

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Statement of Desaparecidos on the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012 and its IRR

The Families of Desaparecidos for Justice look forward to the day without enforced disappearances. Yesterday, February 12, 2013, Desaparecidos co-signed the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the newly-enacted law called, the "Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012." We participated in the crafting of the IRR, after long years of advocacy and lobby work …

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Karapatan challenges 2013 candidates to bring in human rights agenda into their campaigns

Human rights should be an election issue, said Cristina Palabay, secretary general of Karapatan, “because the 2013 election is happening amid increasing human rights violations under the three-year old Aquino and on the last year of Oplan Bayanihan’s first phase.”  “Let not the election ruckus drown the violations of human rights under the Aquino government. …

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4th Capion killed, B’laan families evacuate as military operations intensify in areas occupied by Xstrata-SMI mines

Karapatan calls for the immediate pull out of the Task Force KITACOM (Kiblawan, Tampakan, Columbio, Malungon) of the 39th and 27th IB-PA and the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) from civilian communities, as it expresses its condemnation on the killing of Kitari Capion and the forcible evacuation of some 150 residents in Baranggay Kimlawis, …

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Karapatan calls on govt to immediately release Acosta, file charges vs. 34th IB

With DOJ’s Resolution to withdraw information   With the recent findings and resolution of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to withdraw information against detained poet-artist Ericson Acosta,  “it is in incumbent upon the Aquino government to file charges against the members of the 34th IB for violations of RA 7438, rights of persons arrested, detained or …

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Martial Law victims denounce PCGG chair’s declaration to give up claims

“Malicious, irresponsible and anti-people”  Amid the good news of the ratification of the bill to compesante martial law victims, members of the human rights group SELDA (Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto) deplored the “malicious, irresponsible and anti-people” statements made by Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) chairman Andres Bautista over the weekend …

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Two cases of disappearance reported to human rights groups after enactment of Anti-Enforced Disappearance Law

Case Update: As of January 29, 2013, Muin Kahal Hamja was presented by the authorities and was brought to Basilan Provincial Jail where his brother Muhammadiya Hamja is also detained. Human rights workers in Basilan are still trying to get a copy of his charge sheet.   Unfortunately, Shiekh Bashier Mursalum remains missing. According to …

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AFP should show proof that security guard Rolly Panesa is CPP’s “Benjamin Mendoza”

Karapatan dared the Philippine Army of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to prove before the Court of Appeals that the man they arrested illegally and tortured is indeed who they claim to be in their press releases as CPP’s high ranking official ‘Benjamin Mendoza’ "because clearly, they picked the wrong man," Cristina Palabay, secretary …

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Aquino’s inconsistencies on sovereignty issues show GPH loyalty to US interests

“Pres. Noynoy Aquino’s suspiciously prudent stance on the presence of minesweeper USS Guardian inside Philippine territory pales in comparison to his hysterics on China’s claim to the disputed islands in the South China Sea. Hence, it further reveals the Aquino government’s inconsistencies in dealing with the issue of sovereignty – that its loyalties and interests …

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Ericson @airport

Detained poet gets temporary release, reunites with family and friends after first ever plane ride

“Believe it or not, it was my first time to ride an airplane!” This was how poet Ericson Acosta greeted his supporters, friends, and family who welcomed his arrival at the Terminal III of the NAIA. Acosta, 40, whose siblings now all live with their own families abroad, is a cultural worker and activist arrested …

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