Stop The Killings Network - CANADA: The Statement of Deepak Obhrai at the House of Commons

The statement of Deepak Obhrai at the House of Commons (Canadian Parliament) on behalf of the Government.

Obhrai in his position as Parliamentary Secretary is the counterpart of the Philippine Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs (or deputy to Foreign Affairs Minister David Emerson)

Mr. Deepak Obhrai (Calgary East, CPC): Mr. Speaker, the Philippines faces serious human rights challenges, notably the ongoing extrajudicial killings and the apparent culture of impunity. Canada raised these concerns on April 11 during the Human Rights Council's universal periodic review of the Philippines.

Canada also encouraged the Philippines to ensure that its security forces are aware of human rights and their responsibility to protect human rights defenders.

Canada is encouraged that the Philippines has expressed its commitment to end extrajudicial killings through undertaking initiatives such as Task Force Usig, the Melo commission, and the visit of UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston. We also commend the laudable role of the Supreme Court in the preservation of human rights and in the pursuit of justice.

We encourage the Philippines to work at implementing the recommendations and to make progress on convictions. Canada supports the Philippines in implementing measures to promote and protect the human rights of all Filipinos.#

Press Release: Stop the Killings Network -Canada

Canadian parliamentarians shocked to hear of human rights abuses in RP

OTTAWA -- Canadian members of Parliament expressed deep concern over the continuing political killings perpetrated by the military in the Philippines and vowed to submit to Parliament the recommendations by three progressive members of the Philippine Congress on what the Canadian government can do.

"It's very shocking what we read in the reports - both (UN Special Rapporteur) Prof. Alston's and Judge Jose Melo's reports - on the human rights violations taking place," said the Liberal Party member of the House of Commons Subcommittee on International Human Rights, Mario Silva. "We as a country have to speak out and say this is outrageous."

Members of the Philippine House of Representatives Crispin Beltran, Luz Ilagan and Satur Ocampo informed the House Subcommittee on April 15 that more than 900 extrajudicial killings and 180 enforced disappearances have occurred under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's administration.

They appealed to the subcommittee to urge the Canadian government to put more pressure on the Arroyo government to end the political killings and to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators.They further urged the Canadian government to precondition its bilateral aid to the Arroyo government upon its full implementation of Alston's recommendations.

The Philippine legislators also urged the Canadian government to review its bilateral aid to the Philippine government - in particular, its Military and Police Training Assistance Programs, its mining investments and its development aid - to determine if any part of it is used for programs involving human rights violations.

"I'm personally very troubled that 12 (Filipino) officers will be trained in this country," said New Democratic Party Subcommittee member Wayne Marston. "We need to get to the bottom of that."

Marston also highlighted the need for Canada to heed a two-year-old subcommittee report on corporate and social responsibilities of Canadian mining firms operating in the Philippines, a few of which have been alleged to have used military and paramilitary forces for their security.

"I am quite astounded, despite (this subcommittee's report) that was produced two years ago, that this situation has not yet been corrected," added Bloc Quebec member Diane Bourgeois."I'd like us to discuss that (report) in this subcommittee to find out what the government did to follow up. "I am hoping that Canada will not once again be losing face."

Marston also acknowledged the grave risk the Philippine legislators have taken in bringing forward their criticisms and opposition against what they view as an oppressive government.

"I am very respectful of the courage that I am seeing here and that you are standing up on behalf of your country," Marston said.

The Filipino legislators welcomed the response of the subcommittee to their report and are optimistic that Canada will lend its voice to the growing international condemnation of the Arroyo administration and its gross human rights violations.

We are also very pleased with the response of the subcommittee members", said Stop the Killings Network Canada spokesperson Bern Jagunos. "We will certainly follow up on the subcommittee's promise to bring the recommendations of the Filipino legislators forward."

"We will also continue our lobbying efforts calling on the Canadian government to disclose to the public how taxpayers'money has been spent in the Philippines and to suspend development, financial and military aid to the Arroyo government pending a full review of its bilateral relations." #

Malaya Marcelino
Stop the Killings Network-Canada,
(416) 797-6681