PRESS STATEMENT – We, in KARAPATAN-Central Visayas, are disgusted over the rude treatment of international human rights observers at the Cebu Provincial detention and rehabilitation center this afternoon.
Members of the London-based Amnesty Internationale were at the said jail to visit political prisoners and peace-advocate Ramon Patriarca, when they were barred at the gate by the security guards.
The security guards did not give any explanation except that they were purportedly under strict orders from Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia to have all Patriarca’s visitors secure first a permit from her.
This treatment bares the climate of martial law pervading in the jail amidst the din kicked off by dancing inmates.
It demonstrates the repressive form of administration that ignores the inmates’ basic rights including the presumption of innocence.
In this light, we demand that the jail authorities and the provincial government respect the Patriarca’s rights and stop all repressive policies being imposed on the jail.
Reference:
Dennis Abarrientos
Secretary General
KARAPATAN-Central Visayas
255-5549/0928-754-8456
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PUBLIC INFORMATION DESK
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Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights
2nd Flr. Erythrina Bldg., #1 Maaralin corner Matatag Sts., Central District
Diliman, Quezon City, PHILIPPINES 1101
Telefax: (+63 2) 4354146
Web: http://www.karapatan.org
KARAPATAN is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, human rights desks and committees of people’s organizations, and individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people’s rights and civil liberties. It monitors and documents cases of human rights violations, assists and defends victims and conducts education, training and campaign.
