Violent dispersal of demonstrations violate CARHRIHL--CPP

October 15, 2005

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today condemned the violent dispersal of yesterday's anti-Arroyo prayer-rally near Mendiola Bridge in Manila. The CPP asserts that the policy to ban and break-up demonstrations near the Malacanang palace is in direct violation of all norms, laws and other guarantees of respect for human rights, including a landmark agreement on human rights between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front.

CPP spokesman Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal said the dispersal of the peaceful rallies and the arrest of demonstrators, in particular, violate the provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarial Law (CARHRIHL) entered into mutually by the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) in 1998.

"Arroyo's policy of banning and breaking up legitimate and peaceful demonstrations clearly violate the CARHRIHL, contrary to Malacanang statements that it will continue upholding the agreement," Rosal said.

The CPP spokesman also took the occasion to strongly denounce the firing of water cannons, striking with shields and other acts of violence against unarmed and orderly demonstrators, including former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, former Secretary Oscar Orbos and other prominent personalities who were simply trying to cross a portion of Mendiola to proceed from San Sebastian Church to the San Beda chapel last night.

"In suspending the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), CARHRIHL and implementing the so-called 'calibrated preemptive response' policy against rallyists, as well as the continued illegal arrests, disappearances and premeditated killings of activists in the countryside, Arroyo has shown callous disregard of human rights as well as total disinterest in pursuing peace negotiations with the NDF," Rosal added.

"If her government cannot even respect basic civil and political rights, how can the Filipino people expect her to uphold the whole range of social, economic and cultural rights?" asked Rosal.

Rosal said the violent dispersal of peaceful demonstrations show "Gloria Arroyo's dictatorial intolerance to dissent as she desperately clings to power."

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