Europe court orders return of Joma Sison benefits

Sol Jose Vanzi,
PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
May 21, 2003

Netherlands, May 21, 2003 � The European Court of Justice in Luxembourg has told the Dutch government to restore self-exiled Philippine communist leader Jose Ma. "Joma" Sison's social, health and housing benefits, which have been suspended late last year.

Issuing a statement in behalf of Sison, the Committee to Defend Filipino Progressive in Europe (Committee-Defend) said the European Court of First Instance declared that "it is within the jurisdiction and competence of the Dutch national authorities to restore the basic necessities of Prof. Sison."

The said benefits, as well as Sison's personal bank account where he had been receiving his monthly allowance as a 'political refugee' in Europe, were suspended in November last year by the Netherlands.

This decision came after the European Union declared the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) � which Sison founded � and its armed wing, the New People's Army (NPA) as "international terrorist threats."

However, said Committee-Defend, Dutch authorities continue to withhold Sison's social benefits despite the European court order. The group described the Dutch government's decision not to restore Sison's social benefits as "an act of cruelty".

Back to top