Political prisoners nationwide to hold protest fast for the release of Morong 43 and all political prisoners

Detained health workers in Bicutan, and hundreds of political prisoners in various detention facilities in the provinces will stage a national protest fast tomorrow, September 17, to press for the immediate release of all political prisoners. Human rights alliance Karapatan, Free the 43 Health Workers Alliance and the Samahan ng Ex-Detainess Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA), together with relatives of the detainees, cause oriented groups and rights advocates will also hold sympathy fast in Quezon City and other parts of the country.

“More than 300 prisoners of conscience are languishing in jail in various detention centers and many of them are illegally arrested and imprisoned for fighting the corrupt and fascist Arroyo regime”according to Jigs Clamor, acting secretary general of Karapatan and convenor of the Free the 43 Health Workers Alliance.

Clamor specifically cited the case of the 43 health workers collectively known as the Morong 43. “It has been almost eight months since the illegal arrest of the 43 health workersin Morong, Rizal, and their rights are still being violated in their continued detention. It has been almost 100 days since Noynoy Aquino became president and he has yet to show any steps in giving freedom to political prisoners, and concrete actions in resolving human rights violations in the country,” added Clamor, whose wife Dr. Merry Mia Clamor is one the detained Morong 43.

Clamor declared that tomorrow, they will hold a day-long protest action and sympathy fasting at the Ninoy Aquino Monument in Quezon City. A mass, to be officiated by Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez, shall also be held at 12 noon at the St. Paul the Apostles Parish.

Senator Loren Legarda, Human Rights Commissioner Jose Mamauag, beauty queen and actress Isabel Lopez, church people, civil libertarians and artists shall also join in the mass and program that will follow. Former Martial law activists Director Bonifacio Ilagan, UP Faculty Regent Judy Taguiwalo and community leader Trinidad Herrera, all newly elected board members of SELDA, will also participate in the said activity.

“We are calling on the Aquino administration to be true to his promises of “daang matuwid,” and unconditionally release the Morong 43 and all political prisoners,” concluded Clamor. ###

Sympathy Fasting Center:	Ninoy Aquino Monument, Delta (Panay corner Timog Avenue), Quezon City
9:00am-12:00nn	Photo Exhibit/Symbolic Tyng of Ribbons/Ritual Activities
12:00–1:00pm	Mass to be officiated by Bishop. Iñiguez at the St. Paul of the Apostle Parish
1:00pm-4:00pm	Signing of Petition for the Release of Morong 43 and All Political Prisoners, Children’s Workshop and on-the-spot painting
4:00pm-6:00pm	Cultural Program
6:00pm-7:00pm	Candle Lighting and Signing of the Unity Statement

Detention centers and facilities from the following regions will participate in the said event: Cordillera, Cagayan and Isabela, National Capital Region,Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Bacolod, Misamis Occidental and Compostela Valley.

Relatives, invited guests and friends of the Morong 43 will be available for interview.

LIVE COVERAGE IS MOST REQUESTED

September 18-19	5th CONFERENCE OF LAWYERS IN ASIA PACIFIC

There are about 200 foreign lawyers and 100 local delegates to the International Conference hosted by the International Association of Democratic Lawyers to discuss “Human Rights and Peace Amidst Global Crisis and Conflict”.

12:00nn

A Press Conference of IADL Bureau Members

September 20

A Visit to the MORONG 43 at the Camp Bagong Diwa

Foreign delegates to the International Conference will visit the Morong 43 to give their support and to investigate on their present situation inside the detention center. For the itinerary please contact Tinay Palabay, TANGGOL BAI convenor 0917 500 3879.

September 21

Commemoration of Martial Law

Human Rights groups led by KARAPATAN will participate in the multi-sectoral rally ked by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan to denounce the continuing political repression in the country and to demand the immediate release of the Morong 43 and other political prisoners in the country.
For details please contact Abby of BAYAN.

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