Act on civilian deaths, churches ask Philippines government
-15/07/06
Churches, NGOs, h
Act on civilian deaths, churches ask Philippines government
-15/07/06
Churches, NGOs, human rights groups and church agencies in the Philippines are asking the government there to investigate the rising number of killings of social activists, journalists and church and aid workers.
Church and civil society groups say that around 600 activists have been killed in the Philippines since 2001. The majority of the victims were shot by unidentified gunmen.
Focus on the Global South, Philippines, a network that works with Christian Aid sand others, says there have been 18 killings since April 2006 alone.
The group claims that most of the murders have not been properly investigated and remain unresolved, leading to speculation among activists that they may have been politically motivated.
According to church and development organizations, the majority of the recent victims were peaceful campaigners belonging to legal bodies such as trades unions, peace groups and organizations representing farmers and indigenous peoples.
They say the killings are fuelling a climate of fear and impunity, which is making their work increasingly difficult to carry out.
ìMany partners know or have worked with those who were killed,î said Ray Hasan, Christian Aidís south east Asia manager, this week.
He went on: ìThe perpetrators of these killings are undiscerning. Anyone involved in legitimate community work, rights claims and expression of dissent to anti-poor policies, can be a target.î
Mr Hasan says the Philippines government must investigate these killings and bring those responsible to justice.
He added: ìChristian Aid calls on the government of the Philippines to do everything in its power to prevent further bloodshed and investigate the killings efficiently and impartially.î
Christian Aid is a UK-based development, relief and advocacy agency that works internationally with people of all backgrounds and creeds. It gives priority to empowering the poor, and is backed by 40 major British churches and denominations.
[Also on Ekklesia: Call to catch killers of Philippines church workers; Christian charity says children still illegally imprisoned in the Philippines; Churches join NGO plea for action on Burma; Manila bans Da Vinci Code but archbishop dismisses the fuss; Aid workers trek through 38 landslides; Green Cardinal issues an apology to the planet; World churches back rights for indigenous and vulnerable peoples; Christian peace forum urges Sri Lanka ceasefire]
Act on civilian deaths, churches ask Philippines government
-15/07/06
Churches, NGOs, human rights groups and church agencies in the Philippines are asking the government there to investigate the rising number of killings of social activists, journalists and church and aid workers.
Church and civil society groups say that around 600 activists have been killed in the Philippines since 2001. The majority of the victims were shot by unidentified gunmen.
Focus on the Global South, Philippines, a network that works with Christian Aid sand others, says there have been 18 killings since April 2006 alone.
The group claims that most of the murders have not been properly investigated and remain unresolved, leading to speculation among activists that they may have been politically motivated.
According to church and development organizations, the majority of the recent victims were peaceful campaigners belonging to legal bodies such as trades unions, peace groups and organizations representing farmers and indigenous peoples.
They say the killings are fuelling a climate of fear and impunity, which is making their work increasingly difficult to carry out.
ìMany partners know or have worked with those who were killed,î said Ray Hasan, Christian Aidís south east Asia manager, this week.
He went on: ìThe perpetrators of these killings are undiscerning. Anyone involved in legitimate community work, rights claims and expression of dissent to anti-poor policies, can be a target.î
Mr Hasan says the Philippines government must investigate these killings and bring those responsible to justice.
He added: ìChristian Aid calls on the government of the Philippines to do everything in its power to prevent further bloodshed and investigate the killings efficiently and impartially.î
Christian Aid is a UK-based development, relief and advocacy agency that works internationally with people of all backgrounds and creeds. It gives priority to empowering the poor, and is backed by 40 major British churches and denominations.
[Also on Ekklesia: Call to catch killers of Philippines church workers; Christian charity says children still illegally imprisoned in the Philippines; Churches join NGO plea for action on Burma; Manila bans Da Vinci Code but archbishop dismisses the fuss; Aid workers trek through 38 landslides; Green Cardinal issues an apology to the planet; World churches back rights for indigenous and vulnerable peoples; Christian peace forum urges Sri Lanka ceasefire]