[van-announce] FW: International day of action in support of "Nicole, " a Filipino rape victim

[Grassroots Women]

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Grassroots Women

1115B E. Hastings (entrance on Glen)

Vancouver, BC V6A 1S3

web: www3.telus.net/grassrootswomen

email: grassrootswomen at telus.net

phone: 604-682-4451 (fax same #, please call first)

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From: PWC of BC [mailto:pwc at kalayaancentre.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2006 12:00 PM
To: Grassroots Women
Subject: International day of action in support of "Nicole," a Filipino rape
victim

 

Join the Philippine Women Centre of B.C. in an international day of action
in support of  "Nicole," a Filipino rape victim fighting  a historic case
against US military servicemen!

Monday, November 27
12 Noon
US Consulate, 1095 West Pender Street
Downtown Vancouver

The verdict in the case of "Nicole," a 24-year old Filipino woman fighting a
historic rape case against 6 US soldiers in the Philippines, will be handed
down on November 27.

Nicole was raped last year in Subic Bay Freeport, formerly the largest US
naval base outside the US mainland.  The case has brought criticism to
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for her failure to protect
women's rights and national sovereignty in the context of the increasing
militarization of the Philippines.

In the face of her own corrupt government, the politically-motivated
appointment of an incompetent public prosecution team, the resignation of
judges under pressure from the Department of Justice and media campaigns
depicting her as a "loose woman" seeking to take advantage of disciplined,
white American soldiers fighting a war on terror, Nicole has persisted in
her fight for justice and legal reform.  In particular, her case has brought
attention to the inadequacies of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between
the US and the Philippines, and of Philippine rape law.

Nicole's case has demonstrated the VFA is contrary to the interests of
Filipino citizens in allowing US authorities to retain custody of US
personnel charged under Philippine law, and allowing US authorities to
request "the other government to waive their primary right to exercise
jurisdiction in a particular case."  As Philippine Congresswoman Liza Maza
states, "This puts pressure on the Philippine government to bow to the wish
of the US."  The pressure exerted on the Philippine government in this case
has led to calls for legislative reform to ensure the independence of the
judiciary and the prosecution.

Join the Philippine Women Centre on this international day of action to
support Nicole and all rape victims, and to demand women's rights to safety,
justice and the national sovereignty of all countries under US domination!

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