[van-announce] Filipinos and Canadians urge Dutch government:end political persecution of Prof. Jose Maria Sison

[Philippine Women Centre of B.C.]

Press Release
September 16, 2002

Filipinos and Canadians urge Dutch government:
end political persecution of  Prof. Jose Maria Sison

Vancouver, B.C.-The Dutch government must end the unjust political
persecution of Professor Jose Maria Sison, say concerned Filipino and
Canadian community organizations. They will rally today at noon at the Dutch
consulate, calling for an end to the government-sponsored harassment and
demonization that has plagued Sison despite his political refugee status.

 "The pretext that the U.S and Dutch government are using to fight 'global
terrorism' must not be used to suppress the legitimate political activities
and dissent that Sison and others represent," emphasizes Joanne Vasquez of
Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance. "The tragedy of September 11 must never be
used as an excuse to suppress the basic human rights of others."

The U.S. recently declared the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and
the New People's Army (NPA) as "foreign terrorist organizations."  The U.S.
also stated that the assets of the CPP, NPA - as well as those of Professor
Jose Maria Sison (CPP Founding Chair and Chief Political Consultant of the
National Democratic Front of the Philippines or NDFP) - were to be frozen.
Following suit, the Dutch government has ordered that the bank accounts of
the CPP, NPA and the founding chairperson, and current political consultant
of the NDFP, Professor Jose Maria Sison, be frozen.

Now Professor Sison and other Filipino progressives, including legitimate
asylum seekers and recognized political refugees in the Netherlands, are
under the gun of such draconian measures as surveillance, raids, control of
travel and harassment.  Sison's bank account has been frozen, robbing him
and his family of basic necessities such as food and shelter.  The Dutch
government is now threatening to have Professor Sison, a recognized and
legitimate political refugee in the Netherlands, unjustly extradited to the
U.S., exposing U.S. interests behind his political persecution.  These
measures unfairly violate Professor Sison's civil liberties and democratic
and human rights.

"We cannot allow the U.S. run roughshod over the basic rights of Sison and
other political refugees," asserts Vasquez. "We call on the Dutch government
and all peace and freedom-loving people to take a stand not just for Sison,
but for the civil liberties and human rights that Sison's struggle
represents."

***************************************************************
Rally to defend the rights of Professor Jose Maria Sison!
Stop the U.S.-led political witch-hunt!
16 September 2002, Monday
Dutch Consulate (Suite 821-475 Howe St., downtown Vancouver between Hastings
& Pender)
12 NOON
***************************************************************
For more information contact B.C. Committee for Human Rights in the
Philippines (604-215-105)
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