SOLIDARITY

The official bi-monthly e-newsletter for the human rights work of the WSCF-AP

January 2005                                                                                                        Issue no. 1

SOLIDARITY was chosen to be the name of this e-newsletter because it represents the call and current challenge in the area of human rights. Building solidarity becomes the utmost and urgent task in reclaiming, upholding and fighting for human rights in whichever area.

Contents:  >>>Let us rise up from the rubbles >>>Solidarity messages for the tsunami victims >>>SCMs took part in 56th worldwide UDHR commemoration >>>Civilian casualties mounts in ensuing US occupation of Iraq >>>URGENT ACTION on the brutal killing of SCM Philippines senior friend Joel Baclao
Let us rise up from the rubbles
As I write the very first issue of our regional e-newsletter on our human rights work entitled Solidarity, it pains me so much to realize that the topic I am about to write will be the story of many people who lost their loved ones, homes and livelihood as they became victim of the tsunamis that hit the region last December 26, 2004.
"But beyond relief giving and charity, we are still posed with a challenge to address the stark and fundamental problems and "calamities created by human" that generate poverty and human suffering that is a thousand-fold stronger and enduring than natural calamities."	The World Student Christian Federation Asia Pacific region (WSCF-AP) is in unity with the whole world in extending its deepest sympathies to the people of Aceh, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Somalia and other countries who suffered big losses as a result of the December 26 tsunamis. The tsunamis were created by an earthquake at the bottom of the eastern part of the Indian Ocean that measures 8.9 in the Richter Scale, the strongest in the last 40 years.  Two weeks after the tsunamis, more than 155,000 are estimated to have died. The massive loss of lives could have been avoided considering that methods and technology for detecting tsunamis are inexpensive and have been widely available as early as fifty years ago. While in some countries like India, the government was already warned on a possible tsunami but did not do anything. In the final analysis, the governments are also accountable for failing to set up such devices and to take proper measures on time that are responsible for the hundreds of thousands of deaths.  The cruel destruction of our forests has also aggravated the situation, thus, leaving us a painful lesson. Another grave disregard was shown by the United States government when it did not warn countries regarding its suspicion of a tsunami formation in the Indian Ocean while it has promptly advised it's military base in Diego Garcia, located in the heart of the Indian Ocean.  The international community even criticized the US for donating a measly amount of $18 million dollar compared to the $1.5 billion daily budget it spent for its war and aggression.  It has belatedly raised this to $350 million after receiving international pressures.
Nevertheless, I am still moved by how our federation, specially the national movements promptly carried out efforts and extended all they could to assist the survivors of the tragedy  by coordinating relief operations and rehabilitation work, and working with international civilian relief agencies.  The SCM in India, Sri Lanka and Thailand have organized relief missions while many members are selflessly volunteering their time and energy.  Meanwhile, the AP region has organized several emergent aid works to rebuild the communities and SCMs in Indonesia, India, Sri-Lanka and Thailand. The Federation is about to release the EAP Emergency grant to those SCMs for relief food, water, medicine and clothes, and the Asia Pacific region is mobilizing youth and students to rebuild the villages, schools and other basic facilities in the communities.  Nature's force that brings calamity is not a daily occurrence, but the people's of Asia Pacific, whom the majority are submerged in the daily suffering from poverty and evil effects of globalization, continue to live in the catastrophic era of injustice and inequality.       My grief turned to optimism as I see the federation responded as it ought to do, which is to practice the essence of being a Christian servant in the midst of hunger and grief. But beyond relief giving and charity, we are still posed with a challenge to address the stark and fundamental problems and "calamities created by human" that generate poverty and human suffering and is a thousand-fold stronger and enduring than natural calamities.     The year 2004 ended with grief, but let us all welcome this new year with revitalized commitment, stronger hope and genuine solidarity towards rebuilding our communities and a better world for our generation and the generations to come.         May the Lord of history always be with us in our struggle. In solidarity, Bayani Alonzo II Human Rights Coordinator WSCF-AP justpeace_ap@yahoo.com
Solidarity Messages for the Tsunami Victims LETTER FROM LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN REGION Buenos Aires, January 4th., 2005. Dear Brothers and Sisters of WSCF Asia - Pacific, Please receive our condolences from the Latin America and the Caribbean region, especially for those who have lost friends and families due to the effect of the tsunami. We have had in mind all the friends we made at the Chiang Mai General Assembly, and we felt the pain of those whose lives have been affected by this disaster. May the Lord be with you in this time of grief, and let us see how we can be helpful in the solidarity work the WSCF in AP and worldwide is being engaged. Sgd. Horacio Mesones Regional Secretary WSCF, Latin America and the Caribbean Region MESSAGE FROM THE AFRICA REGION Dear Udan, Shin, Nina and all, The WSCF Africa-Region is deeply saddened by the untimely tragic disaster in Asia that has resulted to the loss of thousands of lives and damage of millions worth of property. We are praying for our SCM members and the entire community who have suffered and continue to suffer this disaster.   May our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ comfort them during this moment of deep sorrow. Sgd. Georgine Kengne Djeutane Regional Secretary WSCF, Africa Region LETTER FROM THE MIDDLE EAST REGION Dear Friends in WSCF AP, It is with great sorrow that we have received the news regarding Tsunami.  We join you in prayers for the deceased and the missing ones. May the Lord grant all the SCMers in the affected countries the consolations for the loss of family or friends. May god bless you all. Sgd. Elias El Halabi Regional Secretary WSCF, Middle East Region
SCMs took part in 56th worldwide UDHR commemoration Last November, the WSCF AP has coordinated a worship guide and a letter encouraging the national movements to commemorate the 56th year founding of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The UDHR is a landmark declaration stipulating the respect for the rights of the people from all walks of life regardless of race, belief, gender, ideology and nationality. Despite the distressful reality that some powerful signatories of this declaration are gross violators of the promulgated principles, it is thus more fitting to commemorate UDHR and continue the struggle to reclaim these rights. Various SCMs celebrated the occasion in various ways and carrying different themes and focus. Here are some of the movements' efforts and also the planned thrusts for year 2005: Cambodia Peace Activist Camp (Dec. 10-12, 2004 at Kampong Thom Province, north of Phnom Penh) The Cambodia Student Christian Mission (CSCM) has been actively involved with the Cambodia Peace Forum established by local and international NGO's in our quest to address the social, political and religious plurality of issues that directly or indirectly focus on Peace. At the end of the year, members of CSCM and other local Cambodian NGOs took part in a Peace Activist Camp with the focus of spreading information about the rights of the poor, women and children in a small village that suffered years of abuse from illegal logging companies stripping the villages of their natural resources by milling timber. The camp attended by around 600 people encouraged local activism to address and educate the participants and village about bringing peace within the communities. In 2005, CSCM seeks to continue the work in Peace Activism as one of the main projects with issues as Gender Awareness, Just-Peace Activism, Interfaith Dialogue; Exposure Trips and future Networking with the local and international arena of NGO's with similar focus. India "Water is life, Water is a Right, Youth engagement with People's Struggle!" In a bid to see and understand how globalization affects the common people, a group from the United Evangelical Lutheran Churches, CSI- Karnatak Central Diocese, Student Christian Movement of India, youth groups from different faiths, made a trip to Plachimda situated in Kerala. Young people came in touch with reality as they listened to the woes of the people in the exposure area where the Coca Cola Company destroyed and exploited the water sources in Plachimada. Convinced that we have to fight against globalization, we organized a seminar on "Water is a Right, Water is life" and formed a group called 'Youth Against Globalization' and campaigns against privatization of water in different educational institutions. "The Campaign Against Privatization of water" is a collective comprising of people's movements, NGO, environmental activists, SCM, Churches and affected communities in Bangalore. Likewise, SCM organized Human Chain and public meeting on Human Rights Day in Bangalore where around 1,000 people gathered at M.G Road, most of them youth and raised voices against commodification and privatization of water. This campaign is to raise awareness and extend our solidarity with different people struggles like in Periyar, Bhavani, Sheonath, Kelo, Ganga canal, the Malampuzha Dam and against Coca Cola in Plachimada, Mehdiganj and Shivaganga. Australia Members of Australian SCM took part on the activities of such as the White Ribbon Day for combating violence against women and the celebration honouring Indigenous human rights activists included speeches and a candle lighting ceremony commemorating Indigenous human rights activists, followed by a BBQ with light entertainment organized by the NCC Australia. Sri Lanka SCM Sri lanka launched a Human Rights Day Programme 2004 held at the CIDA Education Devolopment Center, Hattton.( Central province ) from the 10-13 December. There were 40 students from all over the island who participated in the programme. The session included Bible Studies, Inputs, workshops and games in topics such as the need of celebrating the UDHR day, human rights violations in Sri Lanka and other issues related to Justice and Human dignity. The programme included probing human rights violations through a student's eye, our actions against human rights violations as reflecting through the Bible and sharing our experiences. Follow up on the Human rights programme were held in all SCMSL units in end of January 2005. SCM Aoteroa "Decade to Overcome Violence Against Women and Children Campaign" CCANZ launched the Dove Campaign against Women and Children campaign on the 25th of November and SCMA signed up to the campaign. We are in active solidarity and will do all within our powers to continue to conscientise the church on the paramount role of women as equal partners in society. HR Day On December 9, there were solidarity rallies attended by SCMers in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. These were meant to coincide with Ahmed Zaoui's bail application and the New Zealnaders' clamor to investigate the NZ Secret Intelligence Service operations that curtail civil rights of the people like telephone bugging and other intrusive mechanisms. Philippines Theme: "Reclaiming Human Rights for Justice and Peace" The Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP) launched a two-week photo-exhibit presenting the current human rights situation in the Philippines under the Macapagal-Arroyo government. The exhibit characterized by intensifying state terrorism and repression especially on the civil and political rights of the people was circulated among various churches and universities to promote awareness. On December 9, SCMP and core organizations forming the Ecumenical Youth Forum held a film showing and forum on human rights highlighting the clamour for Justice to the farmers and workers of the Hacienda Luisita, which suffered the horrendous November 16 massacre of unarmed workers on strike perpetrated by the combined elements of the police and military. The forum attended by about 200 students, church youth and teachers culminated in a Human Chain and candle lighting in Manila. SCMP mobilized students and church youth on the protest rally of about 10, 000 people in Manila and around 40, 000 nationwide. One of the demands and campaign of SCMP is calling for justice for slain senior friend Joel Baclao summarily executed in November 8, 2004. Given the parts the SCMs have taken in the worldwide commemoration of the UDHR, we hope that everyday in the life of the federation is a sincere commitment to the advancement of the political, economic, social, religious rights for every person and people.
Civilian casualties mounts in ensuing US occupation of Iraq On January 8, international media reported the death of 14 people, most of them children, via a 500-pound GPS guided bomb, said to be mistakenly dropped by an F16 jet on a wrong house at around 2:30a.m. The US military force cannot justify the so-called error for otherwise legitimate air strike operation seeking to target a house to search and capture "an anti-Iraqi force cell leader." It was August 2004, when the whole federation of WSCF joined the international demand for the withdrawal of the US-led military forces from Iraq via a resolution passed on the occasion of the 33^rd WSCF General Assembly held in Chiangmai Thailand. The resolution echoed the global sentiment against the ensuing U.S.-led war in Iraq as immoral, unilateral and an act of aggression. The United States has established a pro-US government in Iraq and this year has set a January 30 election but on one hand continues to suppress the patriotic sentiment of the Iraqi people that US leave Iraq governance and oil resources on the hands of the Iraqi people. For clarification of facts, this is not actually the first time for US has systematically destroyed the civilian and social infrastructure since the outset of the war in 2003 and in the first Gulf War which left hundred of thousands killed and millions wounded. From 2003, there is already an estimated 125 000 Iraqis killed in the US-led war in Iraq. The US government has spent $23 billion dollars in the war and continues to spend $3billion monthly in this vicious war. Bush wants another additional $50 billion in the US Congress for this war. We express sympathy for this unabated violence and human rights violations of the US to the Iraqi people. We are one with them in their struggle for life and dignity of the Iraqi people to chart their own future. In Asia Pacific, we continue to expose and oppose the heightening military intervention of the US in various countries like South Korea, Japan, Philippines, Nepal, Palestine, Afghanistan and many others. We must not falter in demanding justice so that peace may be given a chance. Pull Out US military troops in Iraq!
URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT On the BRUTAL KILLING OF SCM PHILIPPINES SENIOR FRIEND JOEL BACLAO Title: BRUTAL KILLING OF SCM PHILIPPINES SENIOR FRIEND JOEL BACLAO Victim: Joel Baclao Male 40 years old Married with two children Student Christian Movement of the Philippines delegate during the 1993 National Assembly Former member of the Christian Youth Fellowship Former youth leader of the Bicol Ecumenical Youth Fellowship National Council Member of the Promotion of Church People's Response (PCPR) Lay-preacher of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP). Place of Incident: His residence in Barangay Lacag, Daraga, Date of Incident: November 10, 2004 Account of the Incident: Mr. Joel Baclao, a senior friend of the SCM Philippines and currently a National Council member of the Promotion of Church People's Response (PCPR), was gunned down last November 10, 2004 by two unidentified gunmen believed to be members of the military. According to Wilma Baclao, Joel's wife, at around 8:00 pm Joel went out of his house in Lacag, Daraga Albay, to check on what their dogs are barking at. After a few seconds, his wife saw a burst of fire and a loud shot and saw Joel lying down. Joel sustained four gunshot wounds. Two of which hit him on the chin and in between the lower lip and his nose that shattered his face. While the other two shots hit him on the stomach and in the upper part of the right rib. The assailants used an M-16 armalite that killed Joel on the spot. Two of his children, one six and eight years old were traumatized to witness the shocking incident. According to his family, Joel had received several death threats before he was killed. His family has all the rights to suspects that the military is behind Joel's death because, firstly, he has been warned that his life was in danger and his name was on a list. His family believes that the list to be an Order of Battle (OB) released by the military, which contains names of rebels who are wanted by the government. It was also reported that the soldiers attempted to search the victim's house illegally on September 26. Secondly, there were also reports of alleged military men asking the victim's neighbors for his whereabouts a couple of nights before the shooting. And most importantly, he was a staunch and outspoken opponent of the militarization campaign in Albay province and mining in the region. Joel now belongs to the growing list of people who were murdered under the Arroyo regime for their principled stance against anti-people government policies. The case of our brother Joel indicates a harsh reality that church-workers are not exempted from human rights violations under the Arroyo regime. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Send letters, emails or fax messages calling for: 1. The immediate formation of an independent fact-finding and investigation team composed of representatives from human rights groups, the Church, local government, and the Commission on Human Rights that will look into the summary execution of Joel Baclao. 2. The prosecution of the perpetrators of the crime of summary execution. 3. The immediate and proper indemnification of the family/relatives of the Joel; 4. The Philippine Government be reminded that the institution itself is a signatory of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and that it is also a party to all the major Human Rights instruments, thus it is bound to observe all of its provisions; 5. Put an end to the systematic attacks and political repression against leaders, members and progressive mass organizations in the Philippines. You may send your communications to: H.E. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo President of the Republic Malacanang Palace, JP Laurel St., San Miguel Manila Philippines Voice: (+632) 564 1451 to 80 Fax: (+632) 742-1641 / 929-3968 Cell#: (+ 63) 919 898 4622 / (+63) 917 839 8462 E-mail: corres@op.gov.ph / opnet@ops.gov.ph Hon. Teresita Deles Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process 7F Agustin Building I Emerald Avenue Pasig City, Philippines Voice: (+632) 636 0701 to 0766 Fax: (+632) 638 2216 Hon. Eduardo R. Ermita Secretary, Department of National Defense Camp Emilio Aguinaldo E. de los Santos Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines Voice: (+632) 912-9281 Fax: (+632) 911 6213 Hon. Purificacion Valera Quisumbing Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights SAAC Bldg., UP Complex Commonwealth Avenue Diliman, Quezon City Philippines Fax: (+632) 929 0102 Email: drpvq@chr.gov.ph Please send us a copy of your email/mail/fax to the said government official to our address below: World Student Christian Federation - Asia Pacific c/o Student Christian Movement of the Philippines