NEWS STORIES BY AND ABOUT IID

Aiming to encourage public debate on the contentious Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the
Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID), Mindanao Peace Weavers (MPW) and the University of the Philippines College of Law held a public forum yesterday at Malcolm Hall in UP Diliman.

HOURS before the grand opening of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, a militant youth group held a silent protest in front of the Chinese Consular Office in Cebu City.

“This is a symbolic protest against the Beijing Olympics,” said Ernie Edralin, spokesperson of Akbayan Youth.

Protesters carried torches symbolizing the Olympic Torch and wore masks in a statement against the heavy air pollution in China.

On the start of the Beijing Olympics yesterday, young members of progressive groups marched towards the Chinese Consular Office in Cebu and held a symbolic silent protest against China’s alleged human rights violations against its own people as well as the people of Burma (Myanmar) and Tibet.

Members of Akbayan Party and Movement for the Advancement of Student Power (MASP) wore masks bearing the slogan “Stop Human Rights Violation to address the alleged filthiness of air in Beijing which reflects its government’s disregard to their citizens’ rights.”

MANILA (August 5) – “Progress without freedom is a meaningless achievement.” Thus wrote Aries B. Espinosa as he added his message and photo to the 8888 Faces photo petition to free Daw Aung San Suu Kyii and all political prisoners in Burma. He is one of the more than 200 biking enthusiasts that traversed some 78 kilometers around Metro Manila last August 3 to call public attention to the human rights situation in China. The Bike for Rights activity was organized by Amnesty International – Pilipinas.

MANILA, Philippines: Democracy is still possible in Myanmar but only if moderates take control of the military and work with the opposition and cooperate with the international community, a political exile said here Friday.

But Win Min, a lecturer at Thailand’s Chang Mai University and a foreign affairs specialist, said he sees no political change in his homeland as long as junta chief Senior Gen. Than Shwe remains in power.

MAKATI CITY, June 19 — The serenade was led by Teatro Pabrika as more than 50 members of the Free Burma Coalition – Philippines (FBC-Phils) marched towards the SPDC Myanmar Embassy in Makati City to mark the 63rd Birthday of democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Burma Women’s Day. In front of the march were women carrying a portrait of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, flowers and mock birthday gift boxes with her portrait and a slogan that says “Release Her.”