UPDATE (2): Petition Launched

Meer info hier en hier.
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Release Prof. Jose Maria Sison! Stop political persecution!

We, the undersigned, belonging to political, students and youth, human rights organizations from various countries all over the World condemn in the strongest possible terms the illegal arrest and detention of Filipino political refugee Jose Maria Sison in the Netherlands.–

On Tuesday, August 28, he was arrested by the Dutch police on the allegations of “multiple murders” and “calling for more murders” to the Philippines-based Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). According to the police, the cases are based on orders allegedly made by Sison in The Netherlands. Such a “case” is said to be a crime in the country and therefore merited Sison´s arrest.

Sison has been a political refugee in The Netherlands for the past 20 years. He has been a target of demonification and political persecution by various governments like those of the Philippines, The Netherlands and the European Union. He recently won a case against the European Union and the Dutch government on the latter’s inclusion of Sison in the list of foreign terrorist organizations and individuals. The terrorist-tagging has once led to the freezing of Sison’s account and the denial of several of his civil and democratic rights.

Just about the same time Sison was arrested, his home and those of his colleagues as well as the international office of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) were ransacked by the police. Materials were confiscated as individuals were questioned. Both Sison and Jalandoni are members of the negotiating panel of the NDFP.

On Tuesday, August 28, he was arrested by the Dutch police on the allegations of “multiple murders” and “calling for more murders” to the Philippines-based Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). According to the police, the cases are based on orders allegedly made by Sison in The Netherlands. Such a “case” is said to be a crime in the country and therefore merited Sison´s arrest.

Sison has been a political refugee in The Netherlands for the past 20 years. He has been a target of demonification and political persecution by various governments like those of the Philippines, The Netherlands and the European Union. He recently won a case against the European Union and the Dutch government on the latter’s inclusion of Sison in the list of foreign terrorist organizations and individuals. The terrorist-tagging has once led to the freezing of Sison’s account and the denial of several of his civil and democratic rights.

Just about the same time Sison was arrested, his home and those of his colleagues as well as the international office of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) were ransacked by the police. Materials were confiscated as individuals were questioned. Both Sison and Jalandoni are members of the negotiating panel of the NDFP.

This case by the Dutch government is obviously weak and ignominious as it resorted to trickery and random pillaging to look for evidence. With this dastardly action, the Dutch government has effectively killed the peace process between the Philippine government and the CPP-New People´s Army-NDFP.

Likewise, the statements made by Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the Philippine military hailing the arrest as a “triumph of justice” clearly show that they are not serious in pursuing the already-stalled peace negotiations. As a legitimate political refugee, he has been unjustly prosecuted without due process and regard for the relevant United Nations conventions on political refugees. We abhor this unjust and onerous action against Sison. This political persecution happens in many countries and clearly various reactionary governments like that of the Dutch are hellbent in silencing political dissenters, both individuals and organizations.

We are calling to all progressive youth and students, human rights advocates, civil libertarians and peace loving people in the international community to condemn this attack on the rights and freedom of Prof. Jose Maria Sison. In particular, we call for his immediate release and the return of all confiscated materials.

Political persecution against Prof. Sison and all progressives asserting and fighting for the legitimate demands and rights should STOP!

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Name / Organization / Country

1. Eleanor de Guzman / ANAKBAYAN, Sons and Daughters of the People / Philippines

2. Leni Valeriano / Tanggulan Youth Network for Human Rights / Philippines

3. Dion Carlo Cerrafon / Student Christian Movement of the Philippines / Philippines

4. Biyaya Quizon / Student Christian Movement of the Philippines / Philippines

5. Dianne Asuelo / Student Christian Movement of the Philippines / Philippines

6. Ana Vania Fatalla / Kabataan Party / Philippines

7. Venzer Crisostomo / League of Filipino Students / Philippines

8. Koen Hostyn / COMAC / Belgium

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