** Apologies for cross-posting **
Press Statement
23 October 2009
For reference: Ramon Bultron
Spokesperson, Tel. No.: (852) 94773141
Let the truth set Prof. Sison free from further political prosecution
Recognize and uphold Prof. Sison’s rights as a refugee
The truth indeed prevails. Prof. Jose Ma. Sison is no terrorist.
While the decision of the European Court of First Instance (ECFI) against the terrorist listing of Prof. Jose Ma. Sison is a major victory in the campaign for his rights, the threat of the Council of European Union appealing the decision until the end of this year and the continuing refusal of the Dutch government to recognize his rights as a refugee, remain.
Filipino migrant workers in Hong Kong and peace and human rights advocates join the continuing fight to ensure that the human rights of Prof. Sison are upheld. It is high time for the political prosecution of Prof. Sison and the oppressive policies against him to stop.
The ECFI judgment that Prof. Sison has never been investigated, prosecuted and convicted on any of the charges used as bases for his terrorist listing, annuls the decision and regulation of the Council of European Union for putting him in such a list.
It will be hypocritical for the Council of European Union that projects itself as promoter of human rights to continue Prof. Sison’s inclusion in its terrorist listing when its own court has ruled against it. Such will also only further highlight the repression that Prof. Sison has been experiencing for years.
Following the decision, it is also incumbent for the Dutch government to finally recognize the rights of Prof. Sison as a refugee in The Netherlands. Even Dutch courts have already ruled in favor of Prof. Sison’s refugee status under the Refugee Convention.
Recognition of Prof. Sison’s refugee status should mean the provision of his comprehensive rights as a refugee that include his right to a livelihood, to social services and to mobility. These are what the Dutch government owes to Prof. Sison after the very long time that his rights have been held hostage.
Aside from the Council of European Union and the Dutch government, the governments of the United States and of the Philippines should also cease from persecuting Prof. Sison and from concocting false charges against him. The Dutch government should not anymore allow itself to be a party in the dirty game of the US-Arroyo tandem of inventing cases against Prof. Sison that courts – in the Netherlands and in the Europe level – have found baseless.
If the US and the Philippine governments persist in demonizing Prof. Sison and suppressing his rights, the dream of Filipinos for a just and lasting peace will always be in jeopardy.
Professor Sison’s commitment to peace is shown in his position as Chief Political Consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in the peace talks with the Philippine government. As chairperson of the International League of People’s Struggle (ILPS) meanwhile, he has shown his belief in people’s solidarity against all forms of reactions.
If the prosecution of Prof. Sison persists, then the Council of European Union and the governments of the Netherlands, USA and the Philippines will only show to the world who the real terrorists are.#
Video of the protest action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH0VeEYeViQ
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HK Committee to Defend the Rights of Professor Sison and
Filipino Progressives in Europe (HK DEFEND)
c/o APMM, No. 2 Jordan Road,
Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
Tel. (852) 2723-7536
Fax. (852) 2735-4559
