Communiqué
Montréal, December 6, 2010
To commemorate December 6, the day when 14 women were massacred in Montreal's Polytechnical Institute in 1989, and in protest of the violence which women continue to suffer in Québec, Canada and around the world, we, the Collective of Women of Diverse Origins whole-heartedly supports the resolutions which came out of the Workshop on Violence Against Women at the Montreal International Women's Conference August 13-15, 2010.
The workshop was attended by women from around the world; the conference brought together over 400 participants from 32 countries. It culminated in the forming of an anti-imperialist International Women's Alliance:
We denounce violence against women, whether perpetrated by individuals or more importantly by states, as well as sexist and racist responses of state and society to violence. Whether women are assaulted by members of the elite or state institutions, through imperialist forces or by local warlords and even by men who are purportedly their male comrades within a progressive movement, all violence is unacceptable, unjustifiable, and has to stop;
We call for a stop to violence against marriage migrants by granting residency to marriage migrants who are raped and beaten by their spouses;
We demand that refugee determination systems recognize violence against women and sexual violence as justification for granting refugee status;
We resolve to demonstrate support and solidarity with indigenous women who are resisting the racist response of states to violence against them. (We condemn states as direct perpetrators of violence, or as indirect perpetrators through impunity, inaction when violence is committed against women from aboriginal or indigenous communities);
We denounce patriarchy as the common denominator in sexual violence and that is nourished, reinforced and works in symbiosis with colonialism, imperialism and capitalism. We condemn sexual violence in all its forms, against women in the world;
We support struggles of women fighting violence, and against impunity or the marginalization and silencing of women who experience violence;
We demand justice for all women who experience violence;
We resolve to promote popular education as a means to engage citizens in the fight against violence.
Women of Diverse Origins
member, International Women's Alliance
http://miwc2010.wordpress.com/
e-mail: wdofdo@gmail.com
Communiqué
Montréal, le 6 décembre, 2010
Pour commémorer le 6 décembre, jour en 1989 où 14 jeunes femmes ont été massacrés à l' Institut polytechnique à Montréal, et pour protester contre la violence qui continue à être faite aux femmes au Québec, au Canada et dans le monde, nous, le Collectif des Femmes de diverses origines appuyons de tout coeur les résolutions sorties de l'atelier sur la violence contre les femmes, lors de la Conférence internationale des femmes tenue à Montréal du 13 au 15 août 2010.
Des femmes de toutes les régions du monde ont participé à cet atelier, et à la conférence qui a accueilli plus de 400 participantes de 32 pays. La Conférence a abouti avec la formation d'une Alliance internationale des femmes anti-impérialiste:
Nous dénonçons la violence contre les femmes, qu'elle soit perpétrée par des individus ou, plus important, par des États, ainsi que les réponses sexistes et racistes à cette violence par l'État et par la société. Toute violence contre les femmes, que ce soit perpétrée par des membres de l'élite ou par l'État, par les forces impérialistes ou par les seigneurs de guerre locaux et même par des hommes qui sont censés être des camarades dans un mouvement progressiste, est inacceptable, injustifiable et doit cesser;
Nous exigeons un arrêt des violences contre les migrantes de mariage et exigeons qu'elles aient le statut de résident si elles ont été victimes de viol ou d'agression par leur époux;
Nous exigeons que les systèmes de détermination du statut de réfugié reconnaissent la violence contre les femmes et la violence sexuelle comme justification pour l'octroi du statut de réfugié;
Nous résolvons à soutenir et à offrir notre solidarité aux femmes autochtones qui résistent à la réaction raciste des États par rapport à la violence dont elles sont victimes. (Nous condamnons les États en tant qu'auteurs directs de la violence, ou en tant qu'auteurs indirects par l'impunité et l'inaction qu'il manifestent par rapport aux violences commises contre les femmes autochtones ou indigènes);
Nous résolvons à dénoncer le patriarcat comme dénominateur commun de la violence sexuelle et qui se nourrit, se renforce et travaille en symbiose avec le colonialisme, l'impérialisme et le capitalisme;
Nous résolvons à condamner la violence sexuelle sous toutes ses formes contre les femmes dans le monde;
Nous soutenons les luttes des femmes contre la violence, contre l'impunité ou la marginalisation et le bâillonnement des femmes victimes de violence;
Nous exigeons la justice pour toutes les femmes victimes de violence;
Nous résolvons à promouvoir l'éducation populaire comme moyen d'impliquer les citoyens dans la lutte contre la violence.
Femmes de diverses origines
membre, Alliance internationale des femmes
courriel: wdofdo@gmail.com
http://miwc2010.wordpress.com/
November 6, 2010, marks the ninth month of illegal detention for 43 Filipino health workers, a group known as the Morong 43, which includes two nursing mothers. The Council for Health and Development, National Council of Churches in the Philippines, the Health Alliance for Democracy and Bayan Philippines are calling for coordinated actions world-wide to put pressure on the Aquino government to release the 43. See their appeal statement below.
We are planning to hold actions across Canada for this event. This Friday, November 5 in the afternoon (which will already be the Nov. 6 in the Philippines) BAYAN Canada organizations and supporters will be holding a protest rally in front of the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa between 4 pm and 5 pm. We will be presenting petitions calling to free the 43 signed by more than 140 health professionals.
We are calling on all our member organizations, friends and solidarity groups to take half a day and to come out to support the demonstration. In Montreal, we are car pooling to Ottawa and will be leaving the city by 1 pm.
Joey Calugay
= = = =
November 6, 2010 marks the ninth month in detention of the Morong 43.
On February 6, 2010, over 300 elements of the 202 Infantry Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) raided the farmhouse of Professor Emeritus of the College of Medicine of the University of the Philippines, Dr. Melecia Velmonte. The AFP and the Philippine National Police arrested 43 health workers on charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. The state forces used a defective warrant and planted evidence to justify the arrest of the 43. The health workers were subjected to physical and psychological torture, denied counsel and visits and subjected to various indignities will inside a military camp. They have since been known as the “Morong 43”.
Bayan is calling for an internationally – coordinated action to press Pres. Benigno Aquino
III for the immediate and unconditional release of these community health workers who are now detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig, Rizal.
The Philippine Department of Justice has submitted its review and recommendations to the Philippine President. The Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary Leila de Lima has indicated that her recommendations should lead to the release of the detainees.
Aquino himself has admitted that the search warrant was defective. Furthermore, the evidence “wrongly gotten cannot be used, and therefore ( cases ) cannot prosper”. However, he said that the release of the health workers will have to be sanctioned by the courts.
Despite his admission, Aquino has yet to act on the DOJ recommendations.
The advocates of the 43 have suggested that President Aquino direct the Department of Justice to file a motion withdrawing the criminal charges against the 43 before the Morong Regional Trial Court and the Metropolitan Trial Court . The courts would have no choice but to release the 43.
Aquino’s statements on the 43 comes in the wake of his granting of amnesty to some 300 rebel soldiers who were detained by the Arroyo regime. Many have asked why the detained health workers have not been released given that there is really no case against them and that their constitutional rights were violated.
Two women detainees have already given birth during detention. Judilyn Oliveros gave birth in July 2010 while Mercy Castro gave birth this October. Both are under hospital arrest at the Philippine General Hospital. Both mothers have fought for their right to breastfeed their babies.
Various well-known international organizations have sent letters of appeals to Aquino for the release of the 43, to cite a few: World Council of Churches, World Student Christian Federation, the International Association of Democratic Lawyers, the Japan Lawyers Intl Solidarity Association, the General Assembly of Presbyterian Church, the United Church of Canada, and many more.
Let us continue to press the Aquino regime to act to rectify the historic injustices committed by the US – Arroyo regime and to respect all the rights of the Morong 43 as well as all political prisoners in the Philippines.
On November 6, 2010, various organizations will converge at Camp Bagong Diwa where the health workers are being detained and hold a protest action, religious service and short program. Allies and supporters of the 43 health workers are expected to attend the gathering.
We appeal to friends and organizations abroad to launch actions at the Philippine embassies and consulates to press for the release of the 43 health workers. ###
The International League of Peoples' Struggle (ILPS) is an anti-imperialist and democratic formation.
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