PHM-Exch> Philippines: Gov't withdrawal of charges vs. Morong 43 as "fruit of the just struggle for human rights"

[Claudio Schuftan]

   From:    jan.vosters at casema.nl

     On Human Rights day we got the message that the health workers are
ordered to be free by the President. We have no confirmation yet,



Jan Vosters, secretary Johannes Wier Foundation

www.johannes-wier.nl



 *Van:* karapatan-updates at googlegroups.com
[mailto:karapatan-updates@<karapatan-updates at googlegroups.com>
*Press Statement*

*10 December 2010*

 *KARAPATAN marks International Human Rights Day with the Aquino
government’s withdrawal of charges against the Morong 43 as “fruit of the
just struggle for human rights”*

* *COMMEMORATING International Human Rights Day in the Philippines,
KARAPATAN and other human rights defenders assembled at the Welcome Rotunda
in QC and formed a human chain of thousands along the entire stretch of
Espana St. in Manila at noon today before marching towards Mendiola.

 In Malacanang, Pres. Aquino ordered the Justice Department to withdraw the
information against the detained Morong 43 health workers.

 "We salute the health workers and all political prisoners. The detainees’
hunger strike and the broad unity and support shown by the broad people’s
movement and staunch rights advocates in the international community finally
convinced President Aquino to take the necessary step to effect the release
of the Morong 43.  We consider their release as the *‘fruit of the just
struggle for human rights*,” Karapatan Acting Secretary-General Jigs Clamor
said.

 Clamor said this should pave the way for the eventual release of all
political prisoners who are victims of illegal arrest, torture, detention
and human rights violations. Along with the Morong 43 detainees, there are
at least 374 political prisoners throughout the country.

 KARAPATAN further said in a statement that political repression and state
terror unleashed by the Arroyo regime unfortunately continues under the
Aquino government with the US government’s full support under a so-called
new counter-insurgency strategy. Trumped-up charges filed by members of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) against leaders, organizers and
members of progressive organizations are becoming the norm and are utilized
to conduct actual raids of offices and effect illegal arrests.  Harassments
and surveillance of human rights defenders are intensifying and constitutes
a black mark as well as a challenge to this new administration.”##
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