[APWW-Meet] armed conflict in Southern Philippines

[Mavic Cabrera Balleza <mavic@iwtc.org>]

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The following is from the International Women's Tribune Centre. This is =
a petition addressed to the UN General Secretary regarding the armed =
conflict situation in Southern Philippines.



August 29, 2008

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
UN Headquarters
New York, USA
Tel: 212 963 5012; Fax: 212 963 4879
Email: sgcentral@un.org

Subject: armed conflict in Southern Philippines=20

Dear Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon,

We would like to express utmost concern about the recent breakout of =
violence in Southern Philippines (parts of Mindanao island) following =
the issuance of a temporary restraining order against the signing of the =
Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain by the Philippine government =
and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on August 4, 2008.

Fifty (50) people, most of whom are civilians, have been killed and some
220,000 have been displaced by the recent attacks in Lanao and North
Cotabato provinces.

While we believe that MILF units that targeted villages have engaged in =
serious violations of international law and should be held accountable, =
we are also seriously concerned about the formation of armed militia =
units with support from the Department of Interior and Local Government. =
The setting up of armed groups will not protect civilians as some local =
government officials believe. Rather, it will lead to more chaos, =
insecurity and division among local communities. The protection of =
civilians is the responsibility of the State and its security sector =
such as the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National =
Police.

We thank you for your statement of August 13th where you expressed =
concern about the unfolding humanitarian crisis and appealed for =
restraint, protection of all civilians as well as access for the =
provision of speedy humanitarian assistance to the affected population.

We now call on your office to bring the government of the Republic of =
the
Philippines and MILF back to the peace negotiation table as soon as =
possible. We also call on you to demand both parties to honor their =
obligation under Security Council Resolution 1325 which is to ensure =
women's equal and fair participation in peace processes and ensure the =
protection of women and children who are the most vulnerable in armed =
conflict situations.

Yours sincerely,

Center for Peace Education, Miriam College
Katungod Han Samare=F1a Foundation, Inc.  (Rights of
Samar Women)
Mindanao Commission on Women
Mindanao Peoples' Peace Movement
Mindanao Tri-People Women
Mindanao Young Women Leaders Forum
Mothers for Peace
Muslim Women Peace Advocates
Peace Education Network, Philippines
Philippine Action Network on Small Arms
Philippine Campaign against Cluster Munitions
Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy
Political Caucus of Women Leaders in Mindanao
Women's Crisis Center, Manila
Women and Gender Institute, Miriam College=20

Individual signatories: =20
Sebastian Becker, Germany
Abdulbasit R. Benito, Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace Inc., Philippines
Antoinette Brem, Switzerland
Barbara Lehner, Switzerland
Luz Maria Martinez, Philippines
Bianca Miglioretto, Switzerland
Chan lean heng, Science University of Malaysia
Dr. Jan Marie Fritz (USA)
Dr. Susana Salavador-Anayatin, Graduate Schools of Notre Dame University
and Mindanao State University, Philippines
Benedicto Q. S=E1nchez, Broad Initiatives for Negros Development, =
Philippines
Elvie Villarido-Manaytay, The Zamaboanga Sibugay Tribune, Philippines
Franciska Keller, Switzerland
Jane Prichard, Convenor Pacific Women's Watch, Inc, New Zealand
Katja Schurter, Switzerland
Lourdes Portus, University of the Philippines
Llili Bienz, Switzerland
Jerry A. Quibilan, Crusaders for Peace, Prosperity, Unity & Love, =
Philippines=20
Nathan Gilbert Quimpo, University of Tsukuba
Dr. Pam Rajput, India=20

With endorsements from:
=20
AFA, S=E9n=E9gal
AMARC Women's International Network
Asian Circle 1325
Boston Consortium on Gender, Security and Human Rights
Canadian Voice of Women for Peace =20
Center for Women's Global Leadership
Central American Secretariat, Zurich, Switzerland
Comunica-ch, the Swiss Platform on the Information Society
Femlink Pacific
Hague Appeal for Peace
International Presentation Association Sisters of the Presentation (USA)
International Women's Tribune Centre
Isis International=20
Isis WICCE (Uganda)
JC International English School Nepal
Liberia Women Media Action Committee
National Association of Women's Organization, India=20
Peace Boat US
Peace-communication.eu - Germany
Radio LoRa (Zurich, Switzerland)
Sri Lanka Women and Media Collective
Women Action for New Directions (USA)
Women for Justice in Africa (Kenya)
Women for Peace (Switzerland)


Cc:=20

*	the president of the UN General Assembly

*	members of the UN Security Council; =20

*	the Philippine mission to the UN;=20

*	the following country missions to the UN: Australia, Brunei, Canada,  =
Japan, Libya, Malaysia, Norway, Sweden, USA

*	the World Bank - The World Bank and Civil Society; World Bank =
Philippines, Washington DC Office=20

*	the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and the embassies of =
Australia, Brunei, Canada,  Japan, Libya, Malaysia, Norway, Sweden, and =
USA in Manila

US Contacts:

International Women's Tribune Centre
Mavic Cabrera-Balleza mavic@iwtc.org; tel: 1 212 687 8633
Sarah Nagadya sarah@iwtc.org;  tel: 1 212 687 86
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