July 2010

A year after the end of the civil war in Sri Lanka, Christian relief and development agency Christian Aid called on the international community to increase efforts with the government of Sri Lanka to provide assistance to the 76,000 Tamils that remain in camps and the tens of thousands that have left the camps to return to what is left of their homes. The Sri Lankan Minister of Resettlement, Milroy Fernando, has stated that resettling those in the camps by August was “realistic”.

“There was a previous deadline of April but that was not feasible”, Minister Fernando said.

A further 73,000 Sri Lankan refugees are living in 115 camps in Tamil Nadu, India, waiting for the opportunity to return home.

Christian Aid reports that those left in the camps tend to be widows, separated families or low level income families, often with no land to return to.

Dr Montes

On 4 June 2010, an ecumenical delegation including Fr Rex Reyes, the General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines and a president of the Christian Conference of Asia, presented on the case of the 43 health workers, including United Church of Christ in the Philippines member Dr Montes, at a side event during the UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva.

July 2010

We have highlighted the Philippines Government using private armies by local politicians, following the massacre on 23 November 2009 of 57 women and men in Maguindanao, Mindanao including Concepcion ‘Connie’ Brizuela of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines.

The previous president established an Independent Commission Against Private Armies (ICAPA) which has urged politicians to help dismantle existing private armed groups. By late April, 177 people had been arrested on firearms charges and 193 assorted weapons were confiscated in a Philippines National Police crack down on private armies. By early May the ICAPA claimed that 35 out of a reported 107 private armed groups in the country had been dismantled by the police and military.

The Commission has recommended a more restrictive policy on the possession and carrying of firearms, and stricter sanctions against holders of firearms who fail to comply with the mandated licensing and registration. The ICAPA has called for the repeal of Executive Order No. 194 which authorises the possession and licensing of firearms of any type and/or calibre in unlimited quantities. It has also recommended the introduction of legislation to outlaw private armies.

July 2010

The newly installed Secretary General of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines has vowed to bring a class action against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to attain justice for church members murdered during her administration. Bishop Reuel Norman Marigza made this statement during his installation on Saturday 29 May. However, the Bishop said he had not decided when and where to file the class action.

“We are asking our lawyers to take a look at the possibility of filing a class suit against President Arroyo when she loses her parliamentary immunity after she steps down from office”, Bishop Marigza said.

Twenty-five UCCP members have been murdered in cases believed to be politically motivated and involving security forces since 2001.

Father Nguyen Van Ly in more difficult times

July 2010

Just End Persecution has previously highlighted the case of Father Nguyen Van Ly, aged 63, a Catholic priest imprisoned for his activities in support of human rights and democracy.

Amnesty International reports that he has been released from prison for 12 months on ‘humanitarian grounds’. He was released on 16 March to receive medical treatment following suffering a stroke in November 2009. His health rapidly deteriorated in prison and doctors have also discovered a brain tumour.

He remains under surveillance by Vietnamese authorities during his temporary release to a house for retired priests.

Thanks to everyone who has supported his release. You can send him a card via Amnesty International by sending the card to:

Cards for Father Ly, Amnesty International, Locked Bag 7, Collingwood, Victoria, 3066

July 2010

In mid-May a World Council of Churches delegation met with the governor of Plateau State, Jonah David Jang. Hundreds of Christians were massacred in March in Plateau State, which was the subject of our May 2010 action. The Governor said, “religion is used to cover up all conflicts, although other factors also exist.” He also stated, “I am a committed Christian. As governor of this state, I am elected by the people and God gave me the mandate to direct the people in the righteous way.”

Jang, who is a minister of the Church of Christ in Nigeria, has been the governor of the Plateau State for the past four years. He said his government had begun to take proactive steps to promote peace, “We have set up an inter-religious council of peace and harmony long before the crisis started.”

JustAct is once again getting behind Anti Poverty Week; it aims to:

• Strengthen public understanding of the causes and consequences of poverty and hardship around the world and in Australia
• Encourages research, discussion and action to address these problems, including action by individuals, communities, organisations and governments.

Everyone who is interested in helping to reduce poverty and hardship here or overseas is encouraged to organise their own activities during the Anti-Poverty Week or join in some being organised by other people. Do you want to join in Anti-Poverty Week 2010? STEP ONE: Click here to send Anti-Poverty Week your contact details and/or to tell them what you are thinking of doing. STEP TWO: If you decide to organise an activity, click here to give Anti-Poverty Week all the details for the Calendar of Activities.

Networkers have been contacting Philippines authorities in relation to the massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao, Mindanao in the Philippines, including Concepcion ‘Connie’ Brizuela of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines and a human rights lawyer. Part of this action was to call for repeal of the Philippines law that allows for the formation of private armies, as one such army was involved in the massacre.

The Philippines Government has established a Commission to Dismantle Private Armies, headed by retired Justice Monina Arevalo-Zenarosa. Other members of the Commission include Bishop Juan De Dios Pueblos, representing the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, Mahmod Mala L. Adiloa, representing the Ulama Conference, a representative of the media, a representative of the retired military and a retired police deputy director.

Dr Montes

Network members have been writing to Philippines authorities regarding the arrest of Dr. Montes, a member of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, and 42 other health workers.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have written to the Justice and International Mission Unit stating:

The Australian Government is concerned by reports that the 43 health workers in Morong have been mistreated while in detention. Our Embassy in Manila has raised the issue of the welfare of the health workers with the Armed Forces of the Philippines at very senior levels. We are closely monitoring the situation, including the ongoing legal proceedings, and will continue to raise this matter with authorities where opportunities arise. I note the proactive role of the Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has so far played in this case. As you know, the Australian Government is working to develop a strategic partnership with the CHR and to build its capacity in a range of areas.

Meanwhile in the Philippines on 24 April the 7^th Division of the Court of Appeals ordered the Commission on Human Rights to stop hearings into the abduction and detention of Dr Montes and the other 42 health workers who are being detained, using a 60 day temporary restraining order.

Bishop Thomas Savundaranayagam of Jaffna

In late March Catholics from a northern Sri Lankan parish ravaged by war were able to celebrate Mass in the Church of the Presentation of the Lord in Myliddy village in Valikamam area for the first time in 20 years. The village has military installations, navy camps and an airport that were vulnerable to artillery fire and attacks by both the Tamil Tiger armed opposition and government security forces during the civil war that ended last May.

The military allowed 2,500 Catholics to clean the church of shrubs and creepers that had overgrown it and they celebrated Mass on a makeshift altar. Some local Hindus also joined in the 20 March service.

Bishop Thomas Savundaranayagam of Jaffna had appealed in February to the President to allow civilians in the area to return to their homes and continue their fishing livelihood.