PHM-Exch> Philippines: Appeal for support for the release of the Morong 43: Signatures needed for paid advertisement

[Claudio Schuftan]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: chd mancom <chdmancom at yahoo.com>






Dear friends at the People's Health Movement:


 We write again to seek your support to free the 43 Health Workers,
collectively known as the 'Morong 43'.


 Please find below a public statement drafted by the friends and supporters
of the Morong 43 health workers intended to be published as a paid
advertisement in a Philippine newspaper of general circulation (Philippine
Daily Inquirer) by November 19, 2010.


We are soliciting your assent and conformity to place your name (and
designation/organization) to this statement. We are hoping to gather as much
as 500-700 names all over the world from prominent personalities,
parliamentarians, religious, academicians, lawyers and judges, human rights
advocates, and health professionals.


As you know, the Morong 43 have been languishing for 9 months in jail on
Nov. 6. Despite the overwhelming clamor for their immediate release and the
dropping of the false charges against them and despite the fact that the
Justice Secretary has already made a presumptively favorable recommendation
to the President, no clear movement or action has been forthcoming. We
surmise that there are strong obstacles being put in the way.


To indicate support, send us the name, position, and organization of people
to chdmancom at gmail.com by *NOV. 12 at the latest*.


We need raise the pressure to the Philippine government even higher.


For more details and news about the Morong 43, you can visit
http://freethehealthworkers.blogspot.com/



Thank you for your continued support and solidarity!



Best regards,


Kat Berza



*
*

*Text of the paid advertisement to come out in the Philippine Daily Inquirer
on November 19, 2010*

*
*

Another day in prison for the "Morong 43" is another day that justice is
denied.


President Benigno Aquino III should act now and release the Morong 43.


Nine months ago in February, the 43 health workers including 26 women – two
of whom have already given birth while in prison – were illegally arrested,
searched, detained and tortured. Their rights are still being violated and
their families tormented.


The Department of Justice has submitted its recommendations regarding the
case of the 43 health workers. The President himself has commented on the
defect of the search warrant and that evidence against the Morong 43 are the
“fruit of the poisonous tree.” Various local and international organizations
have called for the health workers’ release.


When Malacanang granted amnesty to rebel soldiers, many asked why the Morong
43 remained in prison.


We call on the Aquino government to withdraw the charges against the Morong
43 and see to their immediate and unconditional release!



Signatures:
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