URGENT APPEAL FOR JUSTICE

I received an email from our friends from MIGRANTE AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND urging groups abroad also write to  the Philippine government strongly urging them to throw the full force of the law to bring the perpetrators of Maguindanao massacre victims to justice. 

If you wish to join the call for justice, please sign the below letter with your name and organisation/ position in organisation/ institution represented, if any, and send to migrante@xtra. co.nz before 6 December. Migrante  will forward the letter to the Philippine government.

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We, concerned Filipinos and New Zealanders, join the international community

in demanding justice for more than 60 civilians in the worst pre-election violence in Maguindanao, Philippines. We are deeply shocked and outraged at the gruesome rape of women and loss of so many lives including two human rights lawyers and the most number of journalists in a single day.

From New Zealand, we send our deepest sympathies with the victims’ families

as we echo the call of concerned citizens worldwide for the Philippine government to:

1. Act swiftly to arrest and prosecute the mastermind and all those involved in the massacre even as glaring evidence point to Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’ s major political ally as the main culprit.

2. End political dynasties and permanently dismantle all private armies in Maguindanao and the whole country.

3. Take steps to ensure that police and military forces will not in any way be used by any party to commit fraud and violence in the 2010 elections.

It is our hope that justice will be rendered to the massacre victims and that the Filipino people will be able to exercise their right to vote without fear from any instrument of electoral fraud and violence.

SIGNED:

ORGANISATION (if applicable)