GMA reaps international criticism 06-03-19

	NORDIS WEEKLY March 19, 2006
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GMA reaps international criticism
*For Anakpawis solon’s arrest* BAGUIO CITY (Mar. 17) — The Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) administration reaps international criticism for the warrant less arrest and illegal detention of Anakpawis Representative Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran. The Philippine Solidarity Network of Aortearoa (PSNA) based in New Zealand in a letter to Prime Minister Helen Elizabeth Clarke dated March 3 condemned GMA’s “unjustified” imposition of the State of National Emergency which led to the arrest of Beltran and impending arrest of five other progressive partylist Representatives. “There has been turmoil in the Philippines since the 2004 presidential election. It would appear that the President is making a desperate attempt to neutralize her opponents,” the letter read. According to PSNA Secretary Murray Hurton, many New Zealanders know Beltran for his heroic role as a trade union leader for decades. A report posted at the Inquirer website mentioned that Clark raised concerns over alleged political persecution by GMA during her recent visit here. The report said Clarke received a “flurry of email traffic” from Filipino lawmakers and New Zealand based groups encouraging her to raise human rights violations in the country with GMA. New Zealand trade unions and human rights groups will hold a candle lighting and signature campaign outside the Philippine embassy in Welllington on March 20 to protest the arrest of Beltran and call for his release. The signed letter will be presented to the Embassy Charge d’ Affairs. Migrante International, an alliance of organizations all over the globe working for migrant workers’ rights and welfare led internationally coordinated protest actions on March 17 for the immediate release of Beltran. The group also demanded the Philippine National Police to drop all “fabricated” charges against Beltran. Moreover, Migrante declared March 17 as a “No Resign, no Remit” day as part of the said international protest. Connie Bragas-Regalado, Migrante International chairperson said Beltran has been at the forefront of the fight for Filipino workers’ rights here and abroad. Regalado further said that GMA should be the one arrested for election fraud, corruption, gross human rights violations, labor export program, neglect to migrant workers and declaration of a defacto martial rule. Meanwhile, March 17 is historically significant to Filipino migrant workers because it marks the unjust execution of a Filipino domestic helper Flor Contemplacion in Singapore in 1995. # Kimberlie Olmaya Ngabit- Quitasol for NORDIS Post your comments, reactions to this article
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	NORDIS WEEKLY March 19, 2006
Home \| To bottom	Previous \| Next
GMA reaps international criticism
*For Anakpawis solon’s arrest* BAGUIO CITY (Mar. 17) — The Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) administration reaps international criticism for the warrant less arrest and illegal detention of Anakpawis Representative Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran. The Philippine Solidarity Network of Aortearoa (PSNA) based in New Zealand in a letter to Prime Minister Helen Elizabeth Clarke dated March 3 condemned GMA’s “unjustified” imposition of the State of National Emergency which led to the arrest of Beltran and impending arrest of five other progressive partylist Representatives. “There has been turmoil in the Philippines since the 2004 presidential election. It would appear that the President is making a desperate attempt to neutralize her opponents,” the letter read. According to PSNA Secretary Murray Hurton, many New Zealanders know Beltran for his heroic role as a trade union leader for decades. A report posted at the Inquirer website mentioned that Clark raised concerns over alleged political persecution by GMA during her recent visit here. The report said Clarke received a “flurry of email traffic” from Filipino lawmakers and New Zealand based groups encouraging her to raise human rights violations in the country with GMA. New Zealand trade unions and human rights groups will hold a candle lighting and signature campaign outside the Philippine embassy in Welllington on March 20 to protest the arrest of Beltran and call for his release. The signed letter will be presented to the Embassy Charge d’ Affairs. Migrante International, an alliance of organizations all over the globe working for migrant workers’ rights and welfare led internationally coordinated protest actions on March 17 for the immediate release of Beltran. The group also demanded the Philippine National Police to drop all “fabricated” charges against Beltran. Moreover, Migrante declared March 17 as a “No Resign, no Remit” day as part of the said international protest. Connie Bragas-Regalado, Migrante International chairperson said Beltran has been at the forefront of the fight for Filipino workers’ rights here and abroad. Regalado further said that GMA should be the one arrested for election fraud, corruption, gross human rights violations, labor export program, neglect to migrant workers and declaration of a defacto martial rule. Meanwhile, March 17 is historically significant to Filipino migrant workers because it marks the unjust execution of a Filipino domestic helper Flor Contemplacion in Singapore in 1995. # Kimberlie Olmaya Ngabit- Quitasol for NORDIS Post your comments, reactions to this article
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