• Saturday, December 13, 2008
• 7:00 pm
• Rhizome Cafe, 317 East Broadway, Vancouver
• $5-$20 sliding scale donation at the door.

Please join the B.C. Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (BCCHRP) in celebrating International Human Rights Day!

On December 10, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly’s adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

On the 60th anniversary of the declaration, people all over the world continue to struggle for genuine human rights, equality and peace.

In the Philippines, the people continue to struggle. Since President Macapagal Arroyo took power in 2001, the Filipino people have been the victims of Arroyo’s localized ‘war on terror’. According to reports, Arroyo has committed gross and systematic violations of human rights with 910 victims of extrajudicial killings, 195 victims of enforced disappearances, hundreds illegally arrested and sent to prison, tortured and harassed and has caused the displacement and forced evacuations of millions of Filipinos. In the midst of this political repression, attacks on the people’s right to security and livelihood continue. The Philippines external debt has ballooned to US$60 billion and the cost of rice shot up sharp inflation of rice from 2.6 % to 6.4% within a year.

Despite the repression and economic hardships, the Filipino people continue to resist — not only against tyranny, but also for their genuine human rights, freedom, and development.

Peace and freedom-loving people the world over have pushed the struggle for human rights forward.

Because of this spirit of resistance, there is cause to come together and celebrate.

For more information please contact BCCHRP 604-215-1103 or bcchrp@kalayaancentre.net

Are you interested and active in international solidarity and social justice issues? The PSAC B.C., with the help of the PSAC Social Justice Fund, has recently been given the opportunity to sponsor a member as part of CoDevelopment Canada’s delegation to the 3rd America Social Forum in Guatemala. The trip will take place from October 6-14, 2008.

CoDevelopment Canada (CoDev) is a Vancouver-based international development organization that facilitates links between Canadian labour and social organizations and their counterparts in Latin America. Approximately half of CoDev’s partnerships are with Latin American teachers’ unions. The focus of this work has been on promoting gender equity and women’s leadership in unions, strengthening teachers’ unions’ abilities to conduct research and generate proposals for alternative democratic education reform, and the improvement and democratization of classroom teaching practices. For more information on CoDev, please visit their website.

The America Social Forum (ASF) is part of the bigger family of the World Social Forum. The following information is taken from the ASF website, further information can be found there.

The 3rd ASF will allow peoples from across the continent to come together in this region, which has lived through heroic struggles throughout its past and recent history, so as to demonstrate solidarity, and to better understand the alternatives that have arisen here in the face of war, destruction, fear, and the perverse legacy of forms of violence displaying the most ferocious examples of militarized neoliberalism, including femicide.

The 3rd ASF will embrace the range of struggles, proposals, and experiences that have been strengthened, renewed or emerging over this rich period of common searching that has been taking place across the continent. It will stimulate stronger interconnections and aim to create more effective spaces for self-guided construction of shared platforms for emancipation.

The 3rd ASF will take place in Guatemala with the collaboration of social movements, indigenous peoples, academic groups and a range of committed sectors from this country and from across Mesoamerica. At the same time the presence of groups from across the continent will further stimulate and enrich these alliances.

Objectives of the 3rd America Social Forum:
1. To further strengthen interconnections between struggles, experiences and critical perspectives across regions of the Americas, among collective subjects that are resisting the neoliberal order and making change.
2. To foster the knowledge and practices, ancestral and new, that support alternatives; and independent critical thought in order to comprehend the strategies of domination as well as those for change.
3. To build greater solidarity with expressions of resistance in Mesoamerica.
4. To provide a broad space for building a shared agenda and platforms for emancipation among peoples of the continent and of the world (end of excerpt).

There will also be an opportunity to meet the Mayan community representatives who play a central role in the resistance to mining in Guatemala. They will be front and centre at the Social Forum, and it is important for members to have an opportunity to hear their message and concerns, vis-a-vis Canadian mining operations.

The PSAC member selected must commit to:
- writing a report for an article on the Forum for distribution to PSAC members
- making a presentation to the PSAC B.C. Council and/or other PSAC body
- organizing one follow-up activity involving international solidarity issues

To be eligible to apply you should support international solidarity and equality issues and be a member of the PSAC. Please send your interest in attending to Kay Sinclair in the B.C. REVP’s office at sinclak@psac.com or by fax at (604) 430-0194 by midnight, Saturday, September 13th, with a paragraph of 400 words or less describing your international solidarity perspective or philosophy; any involvement in PSAC international solidarity, equality, or social justice activities; any community international solidarity, equality, or social justice activities; any PSAC union involvement; and why you are interested in attending.

Please also provide your contact information and your membership number and please also indicate whether you identify as a member of an equity group, i.e. woman; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender; aboriginal; racially visible; or a member with a disability (this is optional.)

It is also appropriate on this day to pay tribute to the many victories of organized labour in the struggle for workers’ rights, better pay and safer jobs. We must be ever vigilant in protecting our hard-won gains and our right to free collective bargaining.

Thinking about our role in building a better world, we must also defend the rights of our brothers and sisters who risk their lives daily fighting for the rights of labour in countries where to be a trade unionist may mark one for violence or murder.

In July, I joined the leaders of Canada’s largest public sector unions and undertook a fact-finding mission to Colombia to examine: human and labour rights, the privatization of public services, working conditions, the impact of free trade and the absence of labour and human rights guarantees. Meeting with union leaders, indigenous groups, politicians, diplomats, and human rights groups, we were able examine first-hand the problems that afflict Colombia, especially given the current government’s human rights record and the concerns about the recent free trade agreement with Canada.

What we learned on this trip deepened my commitment to social justice and need for greater international solidarity. There are 3.8 million internally displaced persons in Colombia, 57% of which are women. The numbers are staggering: 15,000 disappeared, 3,000 kidnapped, 20,000 political assassinations over past 20 years, and 6,500 arbitrary detentions in the past six years.
The UN calls this the worst humanitarian disaster in the Western hemisphere, and it is growing.

Free collective bargaining in Colombia is a fallacy; 95 per cent of Colombian workers do not have an enforceable collective agreement. The state is killing trade unionists: 2,600 assassinated (one every three days since 1986), 194 disappeared, 7,200 attacked, 58 murders admitted by paramilitary leaders, who get away with murder in 97 per cent of the cases.

Free trade will hurt, not help our Colombian Sisters and Brothers. It will only exacerbate an already horrifying list of human and labour rights abuses that are shocking the world.

Canada should actively engage with Colombia to help it address the significant challenges it faces with respect to human rights and labour rights and the environment. However, to conclude a free trade agreement with Colombia at this time, before it has demonstrated the political will to actively address these issues, would send the wrong message and imperil Colombia’s most vulnerable citizens.

Mobilizing in support of our collective bargaining and quality public services, we must remember our Sisters and Brothers around the world. Our fight for equality and social justice is a global one, and we all have a role in working to build a better world.

In Solidarity, John Gordon, National President

We visited Colombia from July 18-25 on behalf of one million Canadian public sector workers. Our mission, among other tasks, was to see for ourselves whether our opposition to the Canada-Colombia free trade agreement was justified. What we saw and learned confirmed that we are right to oppose this deal and to speak out against it on behalf of Colombian workers and their families.

We met with many sectors of Colombian society, including the Colombian Minister of the Interior and government officials, the Canadian ambassador and embassy officials, leaders of the United Central of Workers (CUT) and trade unionists at all levels, members of the opposition Polo Democratico Alternativo, several non-governmental organizations, groups representing indigenous and Afro-Colombian peoples as well as media reporters and ordinary citizens.

We visited the poorest of the poor families displaced from their homes by paramilitary groups to benefit transnational companies wanting to expand agriculture production, mining and other business interests. We were told that more than 4 million people, 10 per cent of the population, have been displaced without reparations.

Continue reading at rabble.ca

Bogata (23 July 2008) - Four of Canada’s top public sector union leaders arrived at Bogota airport on July 18 to begin a week-long labour tour and learn directly about the potential impact of a Canada-Colombia free trade deal on Colombian workers and their families.

They were greeted by members of the Sindicato de Trabajadores Postales de Colombia (STPC - Union of Postal Workers) and the Association of Public Employees of the Human Rights Ombudsman (ASDEP), among other labour groups.

The Canadian delegation includes George Heyman, international vice-president of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), John Gordon, national president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), Paul Moist, national president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), and Denis Lemelin, national president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW).

Before visiting the displaced persons community of La Onda in Medellin on July 19, the four leaders attended two intensive presentations on the grave situation that exists in Colombia. The conclusion they heard from all of the presenters was: of all presenters: things are worse than ever.

They met first with the National Federation of Public Sector Workers (FENALTRASE), including members of the Association of Workers from the Justice System (ASONAL), controllers office and health care unions.

Million missing

An estimated one million people have disappeared to date and union persecution continues, FENALTRASE president Mariano Jose Guerra informed the delegation. Despite the repression, he added, through unity at a global level, the labour movement has the potential to increase in strength. The Colombian leader is a lawyer for victims of repression.

Another young union leader explained that she had just received a letter from her employer threatening to fire her for organizing her co-workers. Such threats against trade union leaders have forced many of them to have body guards. They have been systematically targeted for harassment, kidnapping and assassination.

The leaders’ second briefing was with the National Labour School (NLS), supported by several international groups, including the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).

With the unexpected rise in support for Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, following the globally-publicized rescue earlier this month of 15 high-profile hostages who had been held for years by guerillas, the school staff speculated that he may now attempt to run for a third term in office.

The staff also said that Uribe supports the creation of thousands of worker cooperatives that critics say are nothing more than union-busting and a way to lower wages and remove all worker rights. Other government measures would further weaken a union movement already suffering from massive limits on collective bargaining and union organizing, they added.

The Canadian leaders continue their tour this week with more meetings and visits to examine human and labour rights, study working conditions and exchange views on free trade and the absence of labour and human rights guarantees. They also plan to meet with the outgoing Canadian ambassador, government officials and members of the opposition.

The issue of privatization and other problems facing public sector trade unionists are also being discussed during the tour. The leaders return to Canada on July 25. NUPGE

More information:

• Layton slams ‘kill-a-unionist-pay-a-fine’ deal with Colombia
• Four Canadian union leaders will visit Colombia July 18-28
• Colombia: the struggle for justice and peace

According to official reports, nearly 1000 people are confirmed dead, including those dead or missing from a ferry that sank in central Philippines. Over 35, 500 families had to be evacuated from their homes due to the rapid flooding and landslide risks. The hardest hit areas are Iloilo, Romblon, Cotabato, Antique, and Capiz.

In these times of natural disasters, the majority of victims are the poverty-stricken population. The majority of the people are already faced with economic crisis, such as the food crisis, the typhoon adds further suffering to the Filipino people. Already pushed in the margins of government priorities, the needy and poor populations are further left in extreme vulnerability and danger in times of natural and man-made calamities.

The Philippines is ill-equipped to handle natural calamities because most of the government budget goes towards servicing the foreign debt and militarization, and not towards badly-needed social services. According to reports, only 0.1 percent of national budget is allotted to calamity funds.

In these trying times, it is ever-more urgent for us to continue to build direct people to people support. Please donate to help in the people’s relief efforts.

Donations can be made at any Vancouver City Savings Credit Union branch to the account: “Philippine Disaster Relief Fund,” Account Number: 63487, Branch 28. You can mail your donations to Philippine Women Centre of B.C. 451 Powell Street, Vancouver, B.C., V6A 1G7. Please signify that your donations are for “Typhoon Frank” relief efforts.

In solidarity, B.C. Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines; Philippine Women Centre of B.C.; Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance; Filipino Nurses Support Group; SIKLAB (Overseas Filipino workers’ organization); Sinag Bayan Cultural Arts Collective

A critical look at the expansion of Canada’s Temporary Foreign Workers’ Program (TFWP)

• Community Forum
• Sunday, April 6, 2008, 2:00 pm
• Kalayaan Centre, 451 Powell Street, Vancouver (between Jackson & Dunlevy Streets)

Speakers include: SIKLAB-B.C. (Advance the Rights and Welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers and their Families), Justicia for Migrant Worker, Other speakers to be announced. For more information: email: ilps_canada@shawcable.com

Wednesday, January 30, 4 pm
Picket outside the U.S. Consulate in Vancouver (1075 W. Pender)

War and Occupation are a Health Crisis.

The Israeli occupation is a health crisis for Palestinians. In particular, the total siege by the Israeli Occupation Forces in Gaza effectively detains Palestinian men, women and children in what amounts to a giant open air prison, creating a mounting health emergency by denying even the basic necessities of life. In addition to the Israeli-created public health crisis, Palestinians face arbitrary and criminal military violence from the Israeli occupiers.

The conditions in Gaza demonstrate clearly the criminal nature of the Israeli occupation:

Ongoing killings, assassinations and air attacks by Israeli occupation forces; already in January, 2008, Israeli occupying forces in Gaza have killed 26 Palestinians, including children and women, and wounded 44 others. This death toll does not include the countless others whose physical and mental health hangs in the balance of the siege.

Tens of thousands are denied access to safe water and sanitation as raw sewage runs through the streets. General scarcity of food, clean water, and fuel, resulting in malnutrition, disease are a public health clamity. Gaza is on the verge of a humanitarian, health and environmental crisis, threatening the lives of 1.5 million civilians.

Surgical operations and medical aid are suspended at hospitals due to lack of power and supplies, leaving patients languishing in need of medical attention. Furthermore, medical personal are unable to reach people due to the siege conditions.

Blockade of supplies for UN Relief and Works Agency which supplies over 900,000 Palestinians in refugee camp; humanitarian aid is suspended in a region where 85% of the Palestinian population depends upon humanitarian aid their basic needs for survival.

The U.S. and Canadian governments share culpability for this disaster as they continue to support the Israeli occupation. The U.S.A. provides billions of dollars in aid to Israel annually, much of it military aid. Meanwhile the Canadian government has over the last several years shifted to a position of essentially unconditional support for Israel at the U.N. and was the first government to cut humanitarian aid to Palestinians following their democratic election in 2006, punishment for not voting for the ‘correct’ representatives.

Peace, justice and health for Palestinians are impossible under conditions of occupation and siege. We must speak out! We must ACT NOW to break the siege and end the occupation.

Break the Siege on Gaza!

Canada & U.S. - stop supporting Israeli war crimes!

End the Israeli Occupation! Free Palestine!

Organized by the Health Now! Campaign, Alliance for Peoples Health, Al Awda – Palestinian Right of Return Coalition, International League of Peoples Struggles participating organizations in Vancouver (BC Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, Grassroots Women, Ugnayan Ng Kabataang Pilipino Sa Canada/Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance, SIKLAB, Bus Riders Union, Filipino Nurses Support Group), Free Ahmed Sa’adat Campaign.

Email contact.