The IAPL also adopted 6 resolutions from Brazil on the political accusations, attacks or court sentences against Albenzio Dias de Carvalho, a labor leader, a peasant leader named Wenderson dos Santos, and an anti-imperialist student Barbara Flores as well as the threat and conviction of Ermogenes Jacinto de Sousa, a member of the People’s Lawyers Nucleus; on the oppression of students in protest against secretary of education implementing privatization of universities and the political killing of the Brazilian worker Jean Charles de Menezes in the United Kingdom.

The Philippine delegation proposed 10 resolutions which were adopted by consensus by the Congress. These are on political killings and enforced disappearances by forces identified with the government; the continuing attacks on Filipino lawyers especially those involved in human rights practice and advocacy; the repressive anti-terror bill; the political persecution of labor leader Rep. Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran and his immediate release; the resumption of the formal peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the NDFP and the convening of the JMC; on indigenous peoples’ rights and mining act; on the withdrawal of US troops out of Mindanao and the rest of the country; on the holding of an international fact-finding mission on the state of human rights violations in Mindanao; on the respect for the rights of Bangsamoro people; and on addressing the grievances of Bangsamoro people in the negotiations of the GRP with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The IAPL strongly condemned the brazen attacks and threats on Philippine law group PLACE noting that recent ones happened at the time it was in Congress. It will seek the intervention of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers and other local and international bar organization. The IAPL Congress strongly condemned and holds the Philippine government politically, morally and legally responsible for the continuing killings on civilians and its attempt to cover up its culpability. The government even passes the blame on the victims or to those in legitimate resistance to oppression and repression.

The IAPL will give special attention to the activities regarding the political killings in the Philippines. Its members will develop solidarity to help stop these killings.

The IAPL held a public forum on its Congress theme “The Role of Lawyers in Defending the Democratic Rights of the People”. Capulong delivered the Keynote Speech entitled “Defending People’s Rights Against Foreign Aggression and State Terrorism” wherein he also announced that on October 30 the relatives of the victims of political killings will indict the Arroyo government and Bush before the Permanent People’s Tribunal in The Netherlands for violation of human rights and international law, economic plunder and violation of the Filipino people’s right to national self-determination. Contributions on the 5 sub-themes were also given by the foreign and local delegates.

The foreign delegates will then talk with victims of human rights violations especially the relatives of the victims of summary executions and disappearances; share with an urban poor community; visit people’s law offices in Metro Manila especially PLACE which is presently under attack; and finally visit detained Anakpawis partylist representative Crispin Beltran.

Certified correct by

Rafael Jespers
Secretary General

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