ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Churches and NGOs to the government: "More efforts on human rights"

Manila (Agenzia Fides) - "The situation concerning human rights violations are worrying in the Philippines. Libel, harassment, torture, displacement due to military operations and other inhuman treatment of political prisoners are registered": this is the warning launched by the Ecumenical Council of Churches (ECC), in a note sent to Fides, at the conclusion of a recent meeting held in Manila with Philippine government officials.
Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, Secretary General of the ECC, along with Hilao Enriquez, president of the NGO "Karapatan", committed to defending human rights, underlined the persistent violations on human rights that occur in the Philippine territory. Hilao-Enriquez recalled the continuous efforts on behalf of churches and civil society groups in asking Philippine President Benigno Aquino and his administration more commitment to protecting the dignity and basic human rights. The appeals, reportedly, mostly come from " the young, women and indigenous people" who see their rights violated,
The Secretary general of the ECC praised the spirit of the churches and NGOs that work tirelessly for peace and justice in the Philippines, underlining that "the God of life, leads us to justice and peace". The Secretary emphasized the importance of the Asian churches within the ecumenical movement, noting the contribution that they offer, in very difficult, crucial issues that affect the rights, human dignity, individual freedom, peaceful coexistence.
"The God of life leads to justice and peace" will be the official theme of the next Assembly of the Ecumenical Council of Churches, to be held in Busan, Korea in 2013. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 24/3/2012)