Protest hounds GMA's stopover in Hong Kong

For reference: Eman Villanueva, ConvenorPhone: 97585935Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo can never hide from the ghosts of the murders and injustices committed to victims of human rights violations. The Filipino people and human rights advocates the world over shall make sure of this.This was declared today by Eman Villanueva as 30 people from various nationalities belonging to the HK Campaign for the Advancement of Human Rights and Peace in the Philippines (HKCAHRPP) held a picket protest at Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong where Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is staying."Unlike her previous visits, GMA wants this one to go without much fanfare thus the blackout to the media and the Filipino community in Hong Kong. She's sadly mistaken to think that we will let the chance of exposing the atrocities of her criminal government pass," Villanueva added.Holding up pictures of victims of extrajudicial killings and other forms of human rights violations and placards calling for justice to the victims, the protesters said that GMA "should stare at the faces of those killed with impunity in GMA's total war against those opposed to her policies.""These are the people who have fallen victims to GMA's disregard to human rights just so she can push her national policies."In particular, Villanueva said, the extrajudicial killings, harassments and other human rights abuses are committed against well-meaning civilians and those actively resisting GMA's flagship plan of changing the 1987 Philippine Constitution."GMA's Charter Change is already killing progressives and activists. If it is passed, it will even kill more as GMA will have extended power, dictatorial rule can be easily re-instituted, national patrimony will be sold, and national sovereignty will be trampled," he explained.HKCAHRPP, a network of local organizations and migrant's groups in Hong Kong, said that they are planning to conduct more activities to support the International Campaign to Stop the Killings in the Philippines.Villanueva reported that local organizations are already starting the drive to raise political and financial support for the Permanent Peoples' Tribunal Second Session on the Philippines that is set to be convened in March next year."The Permanent Peoples' Tribunal is one major effort of the international community to expose the human rights abuses in the Philippines. As the tribunal's first session on the Philippines in 1982 indicted former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, so will this tribunal surely decide in favor of the Filipino people," he concluded.#Photos courtesy of Azon Amaya-CaneteHong Kong Campaign for the Advancement of Human Rights and Peace in the Philippinesc/o ASA, No. 2 Jordan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong SARPhone: (852) 98105070, 97409406, 97585935Fax: (852) 25262894E-mail: hkcahrpp@gmail.comBlogsite: http://stk-hk.blogspot.com