Fil-Am Activists Mark International Day of the Disappeared With Candlelight Vigil

San Francisco, CA - On August 30th, 2010, the Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (SF-CHRP) gathered with members of Filipino and allied communities for a solemn procession and candlelight vigil, concluding a month-long series of actions in commemoration of International Day of the Disappeared. There were over 60 activists, workers, professionals, youth, students, and elders representing SF-CHRP, Anakbayan East Bay and Seattle, Babae, BAYAN-USA, Bayanihan Community Center, Bindlestiff Studio, Filipino Community Center, Gabriela USA, Kappa Pi Epsilon, League of Filipino Students - San Francisco State University, Liwanag Kultural Center, National Alliance for Filipino Concerns, Samahan ng Kababaihan, Viet Unity, and the Xicano Moratorium Coalition who marched from Market Street to the Philippine Consulate with chants and songs to surface the disappeared.

Together, the alliance stood with the international community to denounce all forms of enforced disappearance, which are violations of basic human rights. The vigil was also held in remembrance of the 206 progressive activists and ordinary citizens who have been victimized by enforced disappearances in the Philippines since 2002. The alliance shared stories of the disappeared such as Karen Empeño, Sherlyn Cadapan, James Balao, and Jonas Burgos, progressive activists who share similar visions with the alliance of a better future for all in the Philippines and around the world.

“In a perfect world we wouldn’t have to commemorate Desaparecidos [the disappeared], but as political abductions continue, international solidarity will grow stronger,” said Katie Joaquin, Chair of Anakbayan Eastbay.

In 1981, a coalition of human rights groups from Costa Rica founded International Day of the Disappeared with hopes to expose and oppose secret imprisonment and enforced disappearances in Latin America. The tradition spread across countries worldwide and is now recognized by international agencies such as the United Nations and Amnesty International.

SF-CHRP demands that Philippine President Benigno Aquino III abolish Oplan Bantay Laya, the failed counter-insurgency operation of the U.S.-Arroyo regime that paved the way for the indiscriminate targeting, imprisonment, torture, and murder of innocent civilians.

SF-CHRP further demands that Aquino develops a comprehensive plan to enforce lasting peace by addressing the root problems of the Philippines. Filipinos abroad and the greater international community challenge the Aquino administration to bring about immediate and unconditional justice for all victims of human rights violations in the Philippines.

SURFACE THE DISAPPEARED!
PROSECUTE GMA! END IMPUNITY IN THE PHILIPPINES!
SCRAP OPLAN BANTAY LAYA!
JUSTICE FOR ALL VICTIMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES!