A huge dam project between Thailand and Burma is about to damn thousands of ethnic peoples inside Burma. Activists slammed the project, called Salween dams, as a precursor of more misery to peoples inside Burma shuddering under the iron rule of a military junta.
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press release
Free Burma activists picket Burma embassy;demand Suu Kyi’s release
In line with the celebration of the Valentine’s Day, Filipino activists today launched their own version of “Lovapalooza” infront of the Burma embassy in Makati City. But this time the Burma activists are not kissing their loved ones but photos of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the most prominent political prisoner of Burma.
GPPAC-SEA Statement on the Current Situation in Timor Leste
The Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC), a civil society-led movement engaging governments, multi-laterals and other stakeholders to institute mechanisms to avoid violent conflicts, expresses its grave concern over the unfolding events in the world’s youngest country, Timor-Leste.
Resolve the crisis now!
Since East Timor’s vote for independence in 1999, we were mindful of the unfinished tasks of nation-building towards political stability, democracy and justice; internal security and law enforcement; and economic independence. The April’s deadly riot at the seaside capital of East Timor and the reported on-going hostilities spawned by the incident, considered by many as the worst to rock East Timor since 1999, only reaffirmed the observation that it is still a long to go for this young and fledgling nation to attain what it desired.
Rights groups urge Asean to include Burma in summit agenda
Alarmed with reports that Burma, will likely escape strong pressure to implement democratic reforms when the ASEAN holds its annual summit in Cebu this week, rights groups Free Burma Coalition-Philippin es and the Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID) today urged the regional bloc to include Burma in the agenda of the 12^th Asean Summit.
Solidarity group says “this is no Singapore”, calls Gonzales statement a disservice to Filipinos
This is not Singapore. Referring to the statement of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales who says that protesters during the ASEAN Summit will be thrown “into the Mactan Straits and let the sharks eat them there”, the Asia-Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC), an off-shoot of the Asia-Pacific Conference for East Timor (APCET), considered the statement irresponsible and a great disservice to the Filipino people.
As 5 activists in Burma languish in jail, Filipino activists tag military junta “cowards”
“This is cowardice,”said Egoy Bans of Free Burma Coalition-Philippines (FBC-Phils) in reaction to the arrest and detention of five activists in Burma on Sept 27.
Egoy added that “the ruling junta is now running amuck with the arrest of pro-democracy activists after the UN Security Council formally inscribed Burma in its agenda last month. Instead of showing immediate political reforms, the SPDC once again chose to suppress the democratic rights of its own people.” The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) is the ruling junta of Burma, officially called Myanmar.
Resist the Hawks, Continue the Talks
To preserve the gains of the peace negotiations, the Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC) calls on the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to exhaust all means possible to break their current impasse. We appeal to both the Peace Panels to stretch the limits of their ability, patience and wisdom to enable them to overcome the current obstacles and open the windows for renewed confidence and goodwill. We urge you to re-imagine your tasks, your responsibilities and your avowed common dream for a peaceful and prosperous Mindanao. You owe it to the people of Mindanao, to the millions of women, men and children whose hopes for peace and development you have entrusted in your hands.
Save the 1996 Peace Agreement, Free Nur Misuari
For the peace process in Mindanao to get on track again, this day, the 10th year anniversary of the Final Peace Agreement (FPA), can be more meaningful if government heeds the call of the Bangsamoro people to free Nur Misuari.
Solidarity and Democracy Mission to Timor-Leste
We are members of three Asian regional networks dedicated to democracy and peace in Asia: the World Forum for Democratization in Asia (WFDA), the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC), and the Asia-Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC). We are here to extend our solidarity to the people of Timor-Leste, and it is very fitting that we do so on the 7th anniversary of the referendum by which the people of Timor-Leste exercised their right to self-determination, as well as the 5th anniversary of the Constituent Assembly elections.
APSOC Statement on the appointment of the new Prime Minister of Timor Leste
We extend our congratulations to our dear friend, Dr. Jose Ramos Horta, on his appointment as the new Prime Minister of Timor-Leste. We strongly urge Dr. Horta to heed the advise, if not institutionalize mechanisms for civil society voices in the conduct of government and how best to pursue cohesion, security, tranquility and harmony among the people. It is also of course judicious of Dr. Horta to maintain an inclusive policy of consultations and cooperation with the outgoing government, the ruling party and other minority and opposition parties. A conflict prevention policy may also need to be mainstreamed in the new government.
Joint statement of NGOs, Peace networks and humanitarian agencies working in Mindanao
The undersigned organizations representing various peace networks, non-government organizations and international humanitarian agencies working in Mindanao are deeply concerned with the ongoing violence in Maguindanao which has now spilled to already more than five municipalities.
An appeal to intervene and help disengage the warring militias and MILF forces in Maguindanao
We understand that the reported assault by over 100 militias on the claimed area of the MILF’s 105th Base Command is in retaliation to the bombing last week that was reportedly intended for Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan and killed five people, including a close relative of the governor. But while we join and sympathize with the victims of the bombing nd do cry justice for them, we also could not afford to see thousands of civilians, women, children and elderly, fleeing their farmlands to safer grounds due to the ongoing encounters between government troopers and the rebels.
Statement of the Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition on the current situation in Timor Leste
Together with most of its ardent supporters worldwide, the events in Timor Leste these last two days has raised deep concern and anxiety on the state of this fledgling nation that we have accompanied in its struggle for liberation.
APSOC letter of concern on the Nepal crisis
The violent crackdown imposed by the Nepali government has resulted in deaths and injuries among civilians who are joining the peaceful demonstrations called by political parties, mass organizations, student organizations and civil society. As a human rights and peoples solidarity organization in the region, the Asia-Pacific Solidarity coalition (APSOC) cannot stand by while human rights violations are being committed by security forces against the Nepalese protesters.
Burma watchers demand pull out of Daewoo gas business from Burma
Philippine activists for Burma today urged the South Korean government to immediately withdraw Daewoo International’s gas business from military-ruled Burma, claiming that any business deal with the Burmese generals just result to more human rights abuses inside the country.
Clashes and police brutality in Jayapura, West Papua need to be probed, says reg’l solidarity group
The Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC) demands an independent investigation into the cases of Indonesian police brutality in West Papua reported after last week’s protests from local students demanding a pull-out of the Indonesian army (TNI) and police from West Papua and the closure of the US-owned Freeport mining operations.