[van-announce] Filipinos & Canadians demand justice from Dutch gov't

[B.C. Commitee for Human Rights in the Philippines]

Filipino and Canadian human rights organizations demand justice at Dutch
consulate
For immediate release, September 17, 2002

Chanting “Justice for Jose Maria Sison!” “U.S. imperialist! Number one
terrorist!” and “Don’t believe the anti-terrorist hype!  Protect Sison’s
human rights!” over 30 overseas Filipinos and concerned Canadians rallied to
collectively express their outrage at the Dutch consulate in Vancouver
yesterday.

The rallyists brought forward the urgent case of Professor Jose Maria Sison,
a Filipino political refugee in the Netherlands, who is under political
persecution since the Dutch government branded him a “terrorist.”  Following
the August 9, 2002 announcement by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell that
the U.S. placed the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army
(CPP/NPA) on its list of so-called Foreign Terrorist Organizations, the
Dutch government quickly answered the call of the U.S. and ordered that the
bank accounts of the CPP, NPA, and, Professor Sison (current chief political
consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines and founding
chair of the CPP) be frozen.  The Dutch government also proposed the
inclusion of the CPP, NPA and Professor Sison on the European Union list of
"terrorists.”

Now, Professor Sison’s bank account is frozen and his rightful social
benefits terminated, effectively robbing him and his family of the basic
necessities of life, such as food, shelter, and health.  There are threats
that Professor Sison, who is a recognized and legitimate political refugee,
will be unjustly extradited to the U.S.

Overseas Filipino workers, women, and youth, alongside members of the
Mexican, Palestinian, South Asian, and First Nations communities, as well as
Canadian workers and human rights organizations demanded that the Dutch
government defy the U.S. government’s wish to suppress and silence Professor
Sison.

“The political persecution of Professor Sison by the U.S., Dutch, and
Canadian governments is an explicit attempt to limit the Filipino people’s
democratic right to organize and express their aspirations for national
liberation,” asserted Beth Grayer of Grassroots Women in front of the Dutch
consulate.

The rallyists took their concerns straight to the Dutch consulate office
doors where they were told by intercom that they could not enter.  The group
sent a small delegation to present the petition demanding Professor Sison’s
legitimate rights be protected.  A staff member of the consulate assured the
delegation that the petition and concerns would be transmitted to the Dutch
Consul General in Vancouver Y. Coryn and the Prime Minister of Netherlands.
She also asked that the delegation inform the rallyists who were continuing
their demonstration on the street.

The overseas Filipino community and its supporters vowed that they would
continue to mount pressure on the Dutch government until they retract their
discriminatory treatment of Professor Sison.  As stated by Aiyanas Ormond of
the Bus Riders’ Union, “The stand for the human rights of Professor Sison,
is a minimum stand for what democracy and human rights we do have and
against mounting reaction and the specter of fascism.”

Filipino and human rights organizations in Canada plan to heighten their
campaign to expose and oppose the U.S.-led political witch-hunt that is
trying to destroy the Filipino people’s legitimate aspirations of genuine
freedom, democracy and a just and lasting peace.

 -- 30 --

 For more information or interviews, please call the B.C. Committee for
Human Rights in the Philippines (BCCHRP) at (604) 215-1905.





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