As the international organization of parliaments of sovereign states, IPU serves as the focal point for world-wide parliamentary dialogue and works for peace and co-operation among peoples and for the firm establishment of representative democracy.

The IPU is financed by its members out of public funds. Its budget for 2006 totals 10.5 million Swiss Francs.

International concern

Aside from the IPU, other members of the international community have expressed concern over the unabated political persecution and killings in the country.

The alarm within the international community suggested that the administration is “moving toward martial law” and “do not respect human rights anymore,” said Benito Lim, a political analyst.

Lim, who is also a fellow of the Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG), said that the persecution of the six lawmakers is part of the attack on the Left. The Left, he said, is the target of Macapagal-Arroyo’s all-out war. That is why, he added, other opposition congressmen like representatives Alan Peter Cayetano and Francis Escudero were not touched.

Asked if he thinks the government would honor the IPU recommendations, he said, “kung makakalusot ang gobyerno natin, lulusot ‘yan. ‘Yun naman palagi ang ginagawa nila.” (If the government could get away with it, it would continue with what it is doing. The government has always been that way.)

Lim said the Philippine government has acquired this behavior from the Bush’s administration which “does not recognize international laws and conventions as it launches its unilateral wars.” Bulatlat

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