human rights

Akbayan Party-list lauded the conclusion of the bicameral conference committee (bicam) on the Compensation Bill for victims of human rights violations during the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, calling it a “victory of the Filipino people and of Philippine democracy” after a decades-long struggle of advocates and victims of Martial Law abuses for justice.

“Finally, over two decades after the fall of the dictatorship, we will have a law that puts the responsibility for human rights abuses square on the shoulder of Marcos and provides justice for all those who suffered under his reign,” Akbayan Representative Walden Bello said today.

Bello also explained that Akbayan has relentlessly fought for this piece of legislation because it is very important in countering the efforts of the Marcos camp to white-wash the dictatorship and ensure that the abuses that took place “lives in the collective memory of the nation.”

Ensuring Fair legislation for all victims

Women’s rights have been in the forefront of international concern over the last few weeks.

Up in arms against rape

Making the biggest headlines were the massive demonstrations in New Delhi and other cities in India provoked by the brutal gang-rape by six men of a 23-year-old physiotherapy student in a moving bus in the Indian capital.   The crime, which saw the victim suffer extremely serious wounds in her genitals and intestines, proved to be the trigger for the release of popular anger that had built up over the years over the rise in violence against women.

Official Statement of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa - Mindanao (RPM-M) on the Peace Framework Signing between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)

The Revolutionary Workers Party – Mindanao (RPM-M) would like to congratulate the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in reaching this historic moment in its quest for the National Liberation of its people. The signing of the framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro can be a new phase of our long quest for achieving genuine peace in Mindanao through our consistent and legitimate struggle as validated in what we achieved in the negotiating table.

In cities all over Pakistan young people have awakened with a new light of hope that they can stand together to protect their rights.  This comes in the wake of the sacrifice taken by brave 14-year old Pakistani human rights activist, Malala Yusufzai, who was shot by Taliban gunmen on her way home from school.   Malala remains in critical condition in a hospital in the United Kingdom.  

Taliban militants have said that if Malala survives, they will target her again.  However, their dirty work won’t be as easy as it was, for she has many new-found allies in the young people around Pakistan now holding signs proclaiming, “I am Malala.”