Migrante-Europe joins the growing appeal for the immediate release of political prisoners in the Philippines on humanitarian grounds as the world wrestles with the danger and harm of the COVID-19.
Migrante-Europe firmly believes that political prisoners in the Philippines have been unjustly arrested charged and detained. Many of them in advanced age and suffering from life-threatening illnesses.
Migrante-Europe supports the call of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet for governments to take urgent action to protect the health and safety of people in detention since, in many countries, “detention facilities are overcrowded, in some cases dangerously so. People are often held in unhygienic conditions and health services are inadequate or even non-existent. Physical distancing and self-isolation in such conditions are practically impossible.”
Migrante-Europe is alarmed with the data from the Philippine Bureau of Jail Management and Penology of a 450% jail congestion rate nationwide in October last year, with 380 of 467 detention facilities in the country filled beyond capacity. Lack of clean water, sanitation and adequate medical services and facilities are also common among Philippine prisons.
The inhumane conditions in prisons imperil the life and health of detainees, hence, this urgent call to the Philippine government for the immediate decongestion of prisons and release of political prisoners, on humanitarian grounds, especially the elderly, sick with chronic, debilitating or life-threatening medical conditions, pregnant and nursing mothers, and those who are due for parole or pardon.#
Marlon Lacsamana
Secretary General
Migrante-Europe
1 April 2020
Belarmino Saguing or Mang Bill, vice-chairperson of Umangat-Migrante Rome passed away yesterday in Rome, Italy after a fatal heart attack. He was 79. He is survived by his wife Tess Aviguetero.
According to Umangat-Migrante Rome, Mang Bill was an active member and leader of Umangat-Migrante Rome, and despite his advanced age, Mang Bill participated or led many Migrante events and protest actions, in Italy and in the Philippines, including protest actions to denounce the extrajudicial killings of activists during the time of disgraced former President Gloria Arroyo. One story was, when Arroyo visited Rome during the period, Mang Bill defied Arroyo’s Presidential Security Guards and was briefly detained because he insisted in entering the premises where Arroyo was speaking to manifest his protest.
Messages of condolences and financial donations may be coursed through [email protected], +393383088285, or private messages to the Facebook account of Tess Aviguetero.#
Warning Level differs from one country to another (constantly check the advice of your host country’s health authority) in Europe.
Key Points
The ongoing outbreak of respiratory illness (COVID-19) has spread to all European Territories.
The virus can spread from person to person.
All people, including migrants, in Europe should avoid contact with sick people and clean their hands often by washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60%–95% alcohol.
What is the current situation?
A new coronavirus that recently emerged in China has been detected in a number of other locations around the world. Many cases of this new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) have been associated with travel to or from mainland China, Northern Italy or close contact with a travel-related case, but multiple instances of community spread have been reported in Europe. Community spread means that people in Europe have been infected with the virus, but how or where they became infected is not known.
Illness with this virus has ranged from mild to severe. Signs and symptoms of infection include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Sore throat also has been reported in some patients. Some patients also have reported diarrhea without other symptoms. This new coronavirus has caused severe disease and death in patients who developed pneumonia. Risk factors for severe illness are not yet clear, although older adults and those with chronic medical conditions may be at higher risk for severe illness.
What can migrants do to protect themselves and others?
At this time, Migrante-Europe recommends the following to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) in Europe:
1. Avoid contact with sick people;
2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands;
3. Clean your hands often by washing them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at 60%–95% alcohol. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty;
4. It is especially important to clean hands after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
5. Pay attention to your health; and
6. Pay extra attention to health advice in your host country.
If you spent time or living in a place where the COVID-19 has been known to infect somebody and feel sick with fever or cough or have difficulty breathing, do the following:
1. Take your temperature;
2. Seek medical advice. Call ahead before going to a doctor’s office or emergency room. Tell them about your recent travel history and place of residence, an area with community spread of coronavirus, and your symptoms;
3. Avoid contact with others;
4. Do not travel while sick;
5. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing; and
6. Clean your hands by washing them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60%–95% alcohol immediately after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty.
COVID-19 emergency telephone numbers in Europe:
Austria:
Coronavirus hotline: 0800 555 621 (24 hours)
Health hotline: 1450 (24 hours)
Belgium:
Coronavirus hotline: 0800 14 689
Bulgaria:
Coronavirus hotline: 02 807 87 57 (Monday to Friday – 8:30am to 5pm)
Czechia (Czech Republic):
National Institute of Public Health: +420 724 810 106 and +420 725 191 367
Denmark:
The Danish Health Authority Hotline: +45 7222 7459
Estonia:
Family doctor hotline: 1220
Emergency number: 112
Finland:
Coronavirus hotline: 09 310 10024 (Monday to Friday – 7am to 8pm)
France:
Coronavirus hotline: 0 800 130 000
Emergency number: 15
Germany:
Coronavirus hotline: 0800- 5554666
Patient Service: 116117
Hungary:
Coronavirus hotline: 0800 555 621
Iceland:
Coronavirus hotline: +354 544-4113
Ireland (Republic of):
Coronavirus hotline: +353 (0) 1 613 1733
Italy:
Public Utility Number: 1500
Regional toll-free numbers:
Basilicata : 800 99 66 88
Calabria : 800 76 76 76
Campania : 800 90 96 99
Emilia-Romagna : 800 033 033
Friuli Venezia Giulia : 800 500 300
Lazio : 800 11 88 00
Lombardy : 800 89 45 45
Brands : 800 93 66 77
Piedmont :800 19 20 20 (24 hours)
800 333 444 (Monday to Friday – 7am to 8pm)
Autonomous Province of Trento : 800 867 388
Autonomous Province of Bolzano : 800 751 751
Puglia : 800 713 931
Sardinia : 800 311 377
Sicily : 800 45 87 87
Tuscany : 800 55 60 60
Umbria : 800 63 63 63
Aosta Valley : 800 122 121
Veneto : 800 462 340
Luxembourg:
Coronavirus hotline: 8002 8080
Malta:
Public Health Helpline: 111 or (+356) 21324086
Netherlands:
RIVM: 0800-1351
Norway:
Coronavirus hotline: 815-55-015
On-call doctor: 116117
Portugal:
Health service: 808 24 24 24 (24 hours)
Spain:
Coronavirus hotline: 061
Sweden:
National health advice hotline: 1177
Switzerland:
Coronavirus hotline: +41 58 463 00 00
United Kingdom:
NHS 111
Scotland: call your GP surgery or 111 (NHS 24) if it’s closed
“Long overdue”. This was the unanimous sentiment of several Filipino migrants, majority are residents of Utrecht, The Netherlands, as they jubilantly welcomed and joined the founding assembly of Migrante Utrecht in the city of Utrecht last February 23. The Pinoy (Filipino) migrants represented compatriots who work as household cleaners, au pairs, professional employees, cultural workers and Filipino refugees in Utrecht.
A long-time resident of Utrecht and an active member of the Pinoy community in the city, Ric Bermudo, himself a household cleaner, emphasized in his welcome remarks, that the time has come to build the organization of Filipino migrants in Utrecht to confront the challenges facing Filipinos in their struggle to promote and defend their rights and welfare. He said the founding of Migrante Utrecht signals the start of a more organized effort to reach more Pinoy migrants in the province of Utrecht, and mobilize them to act on the issues confronting them as part of the migrant community.
Bermudo, who was also elected chairperson of Migrante Utrecht later during the assembly, admonished Pinoys in Utrecht to understand that all of them have been forced to work abroad because of poverty and the lack of jobs and security in the Philippines.
The assembly sat down to the business of the day as they discussed and ratified their constitution and by-laws and their one-year general program of action, which included among others providing assistance to undocumented compatriots when they are confronted with a need. Edgar Estrella, an IT professional, who presided over the discussions also explained to the delegates that Migrante Utrecht also intends to attend to the social and cultural well-being of the families of Filipino migrants, and help them cope with the new environment they are in. Estrella was also elected later as the treasurer of the organization.
Jun Saturay, a cultural worker and activist, and who was elected secretary-general, led the assembly in singing songs about Filipino migrants and migration.
The members and newly-elected officers of Migrante Utrecht took their oaths at the conclusion of the assembly.
Warm greetings of solidarity were received via video messages from Migrante Alberta (Canada) and Migrante Europe whose chair is Fr. Herbert Jr., chaplain to the Filipino Community in the Diocese of Leicester in the Church of England.
Prof. Jose Ma. Sison, the most famous Filipino political refugee in the Netherlands, and chief political consultant of the NDFP peace panel, spoke at the closing of the assembly to congratulate the formation of Migrante Utrecht and to encourage Filipino migrants to build, strengthen and expand their organization. He shared to the young audience how they were able to organize and build many organizations and labor unions during the 1960s and 1970s, from being small to big.
As in any gathering of Filipino migrants, several delicious and favorite Filipino dishes of dinuguan, pinapaitan, pasta and “nilasing na hipon” (shrimp cooked in beer) were prepared by volunteers and served at the end of the activity.###
Migrante-Europe is united in resisting and condemning the systematic criminalization of extending help in solidarity to the fleeing migrants and refugees in Europe. We are highly distraught that at least 158 individuals and their organizations across Europe are being criminalized for offering help, including food and shelter, to migrants and refugees.1
Pierre-Alain Mannoni
Among these is Pierre-Alain Mannoni of France, who risks five years of imprisonment for transporting three young Eritrean migrants who were injured after ten hours of walking during winter from the Roya Valley to his home in Nice.
Rescue workers Sarah Mardini and Seán Binder
Sea rescue workers Sarah Mardini and Seán Binder were put in prison for more than 100 days in Greece and may still face prison sentence of up to 25 years on charges of spying, people smuggling and belonging to a criminal organization.
We are flabbergasted that these individuals and their organization who are trying to help the most vulnerable migrants and refugees to escape certain death in the Mediterranean Sea are prohibited in extending a helping hand, while there are at least 1,680 migrants and refugees have died in that sea since 2014.2
Migrante-Europe, composed of various Filipino organizations in many parts of Europe is alarmed by these state actions of treating as criminal acts that work of helping the vulnerable. These situation being experienced by those who offered their time, talents and treasures to help the migrants and refugees in Europe are very familiar to the attacks of the Philippine government on activists and rights defenders.
Now that our rights defenders in Europe are being attacked, Migrante-Europe cannot sit idly and remain quiet. The injustice that has beset this continent does not only affect the fleeing migrants and refugees. As recipients of the noble work of these human rights defenders, we cannot allow this mockery of justice to continue because we cannot claim to know and have knowledge of European values and yet keep our eyes shut to the humiliations that our human rights defenders encounter everyday.
Our European human rights advocates, who are only upholding the exemplary European values of human rights and human life, are systematically being criminalized. As an alliance working for Filipino migrants, immigrants and exiles, we stand with them and urge our host countries to stop this travesty of justice. We must always remember the nobility of solidarity and how it is use to serve those who have less, those who have nothing, those who have to suffer every ounce of injustice and indignity, day in and day out.
Long live international solidarity!
Reference: Marlon Toledo Lacsamana Secretary General [email protected]
Weersta de criminalisering van solidariteit in Europa
Migrante-Europe is verenigd en veroordeelt de systematische criminalisering van solidariteitswerk binnen Europa. We zijn radeloos van verdriet dat ten minste 158 personen en hun organisaties in heel Europa worden gecriminaliseerd voor het aanbieden van hulp, inclusief voedsel en onderdak, aan migranten en vluchtelingen. 3
Onder hen is Pierre-Alain Mannoni uit Frankrijk, die vijf jaar gevangenisstraf riskeert voor het vervoeren van drie jonge Eritrese migranten, die gewond raakten na tien uur wandelen in de winter van de Roya-vallei, naar zijn huis in Nice.
Reddingswerkers Sarah Mardini en Seán Binder werden meer dan 100 dagen in Griekenland gevangengezet en kunnen nog steeds tot 25 jaar gevangenisstraf krijgen op beschuldiging van spionage, mensensmokkel en lid zijn van een criminele organisatie. We zijn verbijsterd dat deze individuen en hun organisatie die proberen de meest kwetsbare migranten en vluchtelingen te helpen verboden worden hen een helpende hand te bieden. Dit terwijl er minstens 1.680 migranten en vluchtelingen zijn gestorven in die Miiddellandse Zee sinds 2014. 2
Wij Filipino’s zijn helaas zeer bekend met aanvallen op activisten en verdedigers van rechten, omdat dit ook in de Filippijnen veel voorkomt. Nu onze verdedigers in Europa worden aangevallen, kunnen we niet stilzitten en stil blijven. Het onrecht dat Europa heeft getroffen, beïnvloedt ons niet alleen. Dit omdat we getuige zijn van de vernederingen waarmee onze Europese verdedigers worden geconfronteerd (onrecht, misbruik, geweld en officiële idiotie) kiezen we er niet voor om te zwijgen.
Onze Europese verdedigers die alleen de Europese waarden van mensenrechten en het menselijk leven hooghouden, worden systematisch gecriminaliseerd. Als een alliantie die werkt voor Filipijnse migranten, immigranten en ballingen, staan we hen bij en dringen we er bij onze gastlanden op aan deze travestie van gerechtigheid te stoppen. Laten we ons de betekenis van solidariteit herinneren: om degenen te dienen die minder hebben, die niets hebben en die onrecht en verontwaardiging ondergaan.
Hun strijd! Onze strijd! Internationale solidariteit!
Resista la criminalización de la solidaridad en Europa
Migrante-Europa está unida para resistir y condenar la criminalización sistemática del trabajo solidario en Europa. Estamos muy angustiados porque al menos 158 personas y sus organizaciones en toda Europa están siendo criminalizadas por ofrecer ayuda, incluidos alimentos y alojamiento, a migrantes y refugiados. 4
Entre ellos se encuentra Pierre-Alain Mannoni de Francia, quien corre el riesgo de cinco años de prisión por transportar a tres jóven migrantes Eritreos que resultaron heridos después de diez horas de caminata durante el invierno desde el valle de Roya hasta su hogar en Niza. Las rescatistas marítimas Sarah Mardini y Seán Binder fueron encarceladas durante más de 100 días en Grecia y aún pueden enfrentar una pena de prisión de hasta 25 años por cargos de espionaje, contrabando de personas y pertenencia a una organización criminal. Estamos asombrados de que estas personas y su organización que intentan ayudar a los migrantes y refugiados más vulnerables a escapar de una muerte segura en el mar Mediterráneo tengan prohibido extender una mano amiga, mientras que al menos 1.680 migrantes y refugiados han muerto en ese mar desde 2014. 2
Nosotros los Filipinos estamos muy familiarizados con los ataques contra activistas y defensores de los derechos humanos, porque también esto ocurre en las Filipinas. Ahora que nuestros defensores en Europa están siendo atacados, no podemos quedarnos de brazos cruzados y permanecer callados. La injusticia que ha acosado a este continente no nos afecta solo. Esto porque somos testigos de la humillación que nuestros defensores Europeos han enfrontado (injusticia,abuso,violencia e idiotez oficial).
Nuestros defensores europeos que solo defienden los valores ejemplares europeos de los derechos humanos y la vida humana están siendo criminalizados sistemáticamente. Como una alianza que trabaja para inmigrantes filipinos, los apoyamos e instamos a nuestros países de acogida a detener esta parodia de la justicia. Siempre debemos recordar la nobleza de la solidaridad y cómo se utiliza para servir a los que tienen menos, a los que no tienen nada, a los que tienen que sufrir cada gramo de injusticia e indignidad, día tras día.
¡ El pueblo unido jamás será vencido!
Magkaisa at Labanan ang Kriminalisasyon ng Pakiki-isa sa Europa
Ang Migrante-Europe ay nagkakaisa sa paglaban at pagkondena sa sistematikong kriminalisasyon ng gawaing pakiki-isa sa loob ng Europa. Lubos kaming nababahala na hindi bababa sa 158 na mga indibidwal at/o ang kanilang mga organisasyon sa buong Europa ay tinuturing na mga kriminal sa pag-aabot ng tulong, kabilang na ang pag-alay ng mga makakain at kanlungan sa mga migrante at bakwit. 5
Kabilang sa mga ito ay si Pierre-Alain Mannoni ng Pransya, na nanganganib na mabilanggo ng hindi hihigit sa limang taon dahil sa pagtulong nito ng tatlong sugatang migranteng Eritrean matapos ang sampung oras na paglalakad sa panahon ng taglamig mula sa Roya Valley hanggang sa kanyang tahanan sa Nice. Ang mga manggagawang tagapagligtas sa dagat tulad nina Sarah Mardini at Seán Binder na nakulong ng higit sa 100 araw sa Gresya at maaari pa ring maharap sa pagkabilanggo na aabot hanggang sa 25 taon dahil sa mga bintang na pag-espiya, smagling at/o kabilang sa isang kriminal na organisasyon. Kami ay nasusulasok na ang mga indibidwal na ito at/o ang kanilang mga organisasyon na nagsisikap lamang na matulungan ang pinaka-kahabghabag na mga migrante at mga bakwit na tumatakas lamang sa tiyak na kamatayan sa Dagat ng Mediteranyo ay pinagbabawalang tumulong, habang mayroong hindi bababa sa 1,680 na migrante at mga bakwit ay namatay na sa dagat na iyon mula pa noong 2014. 2
Ang Migrante-Europe, na binubuo ng iba’t ibang mga samahang Pilipino sa maraming bahagi ng Europa, ay naalarma sa mga kilos ng mga estadong Europeo na nagtutulak upang gawing krimen ang pagtulong. Ang sitwasyong nararanasan ng mga tumutulong sa karapatang pantao ay pamilyar sa pag-atake ng pamahalaan ng Pilipinas sa mga aktibista at tagapagtanggol ng karapatan. At dahil ngayon nasasaksihan namin ang mga ito sa mga tagapagtanggol ng karapatang pantao ng mga migrante at bakwit sa Europa, hindi na naming kayang umupo at manahimik na lamang. Ang kawalang-katarungan sa anumang porma ay dapat labanan. Bilang isa isa mga komunidad na titutulungan ng mga tagapagtanggol na ito, naninindigan ang Migrante-Europe na ipakita ang aming pakiki-isa sa mga tagapagtanggol ng karapatang pantao na humaharap ngayon sa kawalan ng katarungan, pang-aabuso, karahasan at opisyal na katangahan.
Ang mga tagapagtanggol na ito sa Europa na nagpapakita lamang ng mga huwarang pamantayang para sa karapatang pantao at pagpapakita ng importansya ng buhay ng bawat mamayan sa sandaigdigan. Bilang isang katipunan ng mga organisasyon ng mga Migranteng Filipino sa Europa, nananawagan kami sa mga bansang Europeo na tigilan ang kriminalisasyon ng pakiki-isa. Ibig naming ipaalala sa kanila ang dahilan ng pakiki-isa: maglingkod at tumulong sa mga walang boses; maglingkod at tumulong sa mga walang ni ano; at maglingkod at tumulong duon sa mga taong nakakaranas ng walang katarungan araw-araw.
Migranteng Filipino, Ngayon ay Lumalaban!
Vereinigung und Widerstand gegen die Kriminalisierung der Solidarität in Europa
Migrante-Europe ist sich einig, dass es sich gegen die systematische Kriminalisierung der Solidaritätsarbeit in Europa wehrt und diese verurteilt. Wir sind sehr bestürzt darüber, dass mindestens 158 Personen und ihre Organisationen in ganz Europa kriminalisiert werden, weil sie Migranten und Flüchtlingen Hilfe, einschließlich Nahrung und Unterkunft, anbieten. 6
Unter ihnen ist der Franzose Pierre-Alain Mannoni, der fünf Jahre Haft riskiert, weil er drei junge eritreische Migranten, die nach zehn Stunden Fußmarsch, im Winter, vom Roya-Valley zu seinem Haus in Nizza half. Die Seenotrettungshelfer Sarah Mardini und Seán Binder wurden in Griechenland für mehr als 100 Tage ins Gefängnis gesteckt und können noch immer mit einer Gefängnisstrafe von bis zu 25 Jahren wegen Spionage, Menschenschmuggel und Zugehörigkeit zu einer kriminellen Organisation verurteilt werden. Wir sind erschrocken, dass es diesen Personen und ihrer Organisation, die versuchen, den verwundbarsten Migranten und Flüchtlingen zu helfen, dem sicheren Tod im Mittelmeer zu entgehen, verboten ist, eine helfende Hand auszustrecken, während seit 2014 mindestens 1.680 Migranten und Flüchtlinge in diesem Meer gestorben sind. 2
Wir Filipinos sind leider sehr vertraut mit Angriffen auf Aktivisten und Verteidiger der Menschenrechte, da sie auch an den philippinischen Küsten stattfinden. Jetzt, da unsere Verteidiger in Europa angegriffen werden, können wir nicht untätig bleiben und schweigen. Die Ungerechtigkeit, die diesen Kontinent heimgesucht hat, betrifft nicht nur uns. Als Unterstützer dieser edlen Arbeit können wir nicht zulassen, dass dieser Spott weitergeht, denn wir können nicht behaupten, dass wir die europäischen Werte kennen, und doch die Augen vor den Demütigungen verschließen, denen unsere Verteidiger jeden Tag begegnen: Ungerechtigkeit, Missbrauch, Gewalt und staatlische Idiotie.
Unsere europäischen Verteidiger, die nur die vorbildlichen, europäischen Werte der Menschenrechte und des menschlichen Lebens verteidigen, werden systematisch kriminalisiert. Als ein Bündnis, welches sich für philippinische Migranten, Immigranten und Exilanten einsetzt, stehen wir an ihrer Seite und fordern unsere Gastgeberländer auf, diese Travestie der Gerechtigkeit zu beenden. Wir müssen uns immer an die Vornehmheit der Solidarität erinnern und daran, wie sie genutzt wird, um denen zu dienen, die weniger haben, denen, die nichts haben, denen, die Tag für Tag jedes Quäntchen Ungerechtigkeit und Demütigung erleiden müssen.
Hoch die internationale Solidarität!
Unissez-vous et résistez à la criminalisation de la solidarité en Europe
Migrante-Europe s’unit pour résister et condamner la criminalisation systématique de l’aide solidaire aux migrants et réfugiés fuyant vers l’Europe. Nous sommes profondément affligés qu’au moins 158 personnes et leurs organisations à travers l’Europe soient criminalisées pour avoir offert de l’aide, notamment de la nourriture et un abri, aux migrants et aux réfugiés. 7
Parmi eux, Pierre-Alain Mannoni, de France, qui risque cinq ans de prison pour avoir transporté trois jeunes migrants érythréens blessés après dix heures de marche en hiver de la vallée de la Roya jusqu’à son domicile à Nice. Les sauveteurs Sarah Mardini et Seán Binder sont emprisonnés depuis plus de 100 jours en Grèce et encourent toujours des peines de prison allant jusqu’à 25 ans pour espionnage, traite d’êtres humains et appartenance à une organisation criminelle. Nous sommes étonnés que ces personnes et leurs organisations qui tentent d’aider les migrants et les réfugiés les plus vulnérables à échapper à une mort certaine en Méditerranée ne puissent pas tendre la main, alors qu’au moins 1680 migrants et réfugiés sont morts dans cette mer depuis 2014. 2
Migrante-Europe, composée de diverses organisations philippines dans de nombreuses parties de l’Europe, est alarmée par ces actions de l’État de traiter comme des actes criminels qui visent à aider les personnes vulnérables. Cette situation vécue par ceux qui ont donné de leur temps et de leurs talents pour aider les migrants et les réfugiés en Europe est bien connue des Philippins qui ont été témoins d’attaques du gouvernement philippin contre des militants et des défenseurs des droits. Maintenant que nos défenseurs des droits de l’homme en Europe sont attaqués, Migrante-Europe ne peut plus rester les bras croisés et garder le silence. L’injustice qui a frappé ce continent n’affecte pas seulement les migrants et les réfugiés en fuite. En tant que bénéficiaires du noble travail de ces défenseurs des droits de l’homme, nous ne pouvons pas permettre que cette moquerie de la justice se poursuive parce que nous ne pouvons pas prétendre connaître et connaître les valeurs européennes et pourtant garder les yeux fermés sur les humiliations subies par nos défenseurs des droits de l’homme.
Nos défenseurs européens des droits de l’homme, qui ne font que démontrer les valeurs européennes exemplaires des droits de l’homme et de la vie humaine, sont systématiquement criminalisés. En tant qu’alliance travaillant pour les migrants, les immigrants et les exilés philippins, nous les soutenons et exhortons nos pays d’accueil à mettre fin à cette parodie de justice. Nous devons toujours nous souvenir de la noblesse de la solidarité et de la façon dont elle est utilisée pour servir ceux qui ont moins, ceux qui n’ont rien et ceux qui doivent souffrir chaque once d’injustice chaque jour.
Vive la solidarité!
Uniti Resistiamo Contro la Criminalizzazione della Solidarieta’ In Europa
Migrante Europa è unita nel resistere e nel condannare la criminalizzazione sistematica del lavoro di solidarietà in Europa. Siamo molto preoccupati per il fatto che almeno 158 persone e i loro organizzazioni in tutta Europa vengano criminalizzate per aver offerto aiuto, compresi cibo e alloggio, a migranti e rifugiati. 8
Tra questi c’è il francese Pierre-Alain Mannoni, che rischia cinque anni di prigione per aver trasportato tre giovani migranti eritrei che sono rimasti feriti dopo dieci ore di cammino durante l’inverno dalla Valle della Roya alla sua casa di Nizza. I soccorritori marittimi Sarah Mardini e Seán Binder sono stati incarcerati in Grecia per più di 100 giorni e possono ancora essere condannati a 25 anni di carcere con l’accusa di spionaggio, rapina e associazione a delinquere. Ci è chiaro che questi individui e le loro organizzazioni che cercano di aiutare i migranti e i rifugiati più vulnerabili a sfuggire a morte certa nel Mediterraneo non possono dare il loro aiuto, mentre ci sono almeno 1.680 migranti e rifugiati che sono morti in quel mare dal 2014. 2
Noi filippini abbiamo purtroppo molta familiarità con gli attacchi contro gli attivisti e i difensori dei diritti, perché si verificano anche nelle Filippine. Ora che i nostri difensori in Europa vengono attaccati, non possiamo restare in silenzio. L’ingiustizia che si è creata nel loro continente non colpisce solo noi. Come destinatari del loro nobile lavoro, non possiamo permettere che questa beffa continui. Non possiamo chiudere gli occhi davanti alle umiliazioni che vediamo ogni giorno infliggere ai nostri difensori: ingiustizia, abusi, violenza e idiozia ufficiale.
I nostri difensori europei che difendono solo i valori europei esemplari dei diritti umani e del rispetto per la vita umana vengono sistematicamente criminalizzati. Come alleanza che lavora per i migranti filippini, gli immigrati e gli esiliati, ci schieriamo con loro ed esortiamo i paesi che ci ospitano a porre fine a questa farsa della giustizia. Dobbiamo sempre ricordare la nobiltà della solidarietà e come sia utile servire coloro che hanno meno, coloro che non hanno nulla, coloro che devono soffrire ogni singola traccia di ingiustizia e di indegnità, giorno dopo giorno.
Since January 12, Taal Volcano has erupted and is now at Alert Level 4, which means the danger zone can be extended up to 9 kilometers due to the possibility of “highly hazardous eruption.”
Thousands have fled the volcano, and the island is considered “no-man’s land”. Currently, there are 22,472 families including 96,061 people affected in the provinces of Batangas and Cavite and not including those in the provinces of Laguna and Quezon.
According to Sagip Migrante, they need financial help to meet the needs of evacuees such as: food, water, clothing, medicine, blankets, N95 face masks, flashlights and more.
Migrante-Europe is appalled by the utterly uncalled-for umbrage of the Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. when he confronted the protesters led by Migrante International in front of his department on 10 January 2020.
The protest held by Migrante-International and its allies denounced the militarization of the evacuation mission of the country to be led by Retired General now DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu. The Philippines’ deployment of two battalions of military combatants shows the apathy of the US-Duterte regime to the welfare of OFWs in the Middle East. What our kababayans need in this time of crisis are not soldiers, but social workers, health care professionals and translators.
We object to Sec. Locsin’s arrogance, when he yelled at the protesters and OFW families to beat him up and stating that “this is the government of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (then raised fist),” instead of providing answers to the legitimate questions raised by the protesters and OFW families affected by the current turmoil brought about by the US assassination of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.
All Secretary Locsin succeeded in doing was to betray his utter ignorance about how diplomacy works, setting a dangerous precedent if his deplorable behavior is emulated by the wide following he claims for the government’s actions.
Migrante-Europe reiterates our ardent call, and challenges the US-Duterte regime to save our fellow OFWs in the Middle East and renounce the US imperialist war of aggression against the people of Iran.
No to US War on Iran! Down With US Imperialism!
Reference: Marlon T. Lacsamana Secretary General Migrante-Europe [email protected]
Como, Italy – Three members of Migrante-Europe, Stella Matutina of ICHRP-EU (Germany), Victor Salloman of Umangat Rome (Italy), and Prof. Alex Pasion of Migrante Como (Italy), spoke up in front of the of the numerous parishioners during the Liturgical Celebration for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, last Sunday, 08 December.
Through the invitation of Don Giusto Della Valle, the Rector of Parrocchia San Martino di Rebbio, Como, the three representatives of Migrante Europe mentioned the two historical events that took place in the Parish: 2nd Assembly IMA Europe and 2nd Congress Migrante Europe.
Prof. Alex Passion (Migrante Como)
Alex, a university professor, shared the significance of the International Migrant’s Alliance (IMA) and Migrante Europe Congress to migrants, refugees and displaced peoples. He explained further that poverty is the root cause of forced migration of the majority of Filipinos. Violent conflicts forced people to attempt dangerous border crossings, while the impact of climate change is already being felt in many parts of the world, as prolonged droughts, desertification, and more frequent natural calamities are already eroding livelihoods and leading to displacement. He also reminded the parishioners not to accept the current narratives coming from the right-wing governments including those from Italy, that migrants are a threat to national security and employment (job-stealing).
Victor Salloman (Umangat Rome)
Victor spoke about the Photo Exhibit of the victims of the Drug War and how Duterte’s “drug war” is affecting the Filipino people of which mostly the poor. Stella shared how everyone was not safe, including church people. At least three Italian missionaries were killed defending the rights of indigenous peoples in the Philippines, and she also shared the dangers of red-tagging of genuine defenders of human rights in the country.
The “Speak Up Event” on Migration and Human Rights Situation in the Philippines that took place in the Parrocchia San Martino was warmly accepted by the congregation, and thanks to the generosity of the Rector Don Giusto Della Valle and the community.
The Speak Up Event and the Photo Exhibits in the Parish were organized by the Migrante Milan Como in collaboration with Migrante Europe and IMA Europe.
Como, Italy – Migrante-Europe held a fun-filled but full of militancy its 2nd congress on 8 December 2019 in Como, Italy. With the theme “ Expand and strengthen our unity! Promote and defend the rights and welfare of Filipinos and their families in Europe and abroad! Contribute and participate in the struggle for national freedom and democracy!” The congress was attended by more than one hundred participants representing 28 Filipino organizations coming from various countries in Europe.
Fr Herbert Fadriquela Jr, the incumbent Chairperson of Migrante-Europe opened the congress with a roll call of member organizations as well as welcoming new member organizations. The occasion was also graced with the presence of Bishop Antonio Ablon of the Iglesia Filipina Independent (IFI) of the Diocese of Pagadian City, Philippines and Don Giusto Della Valle, Rector of the Parrocchia San Martino di Rebbio, Como. Both clergy gave very challenging and inspiring messages to the participants.
“Migrants, migrant workers and refugees of all kinds are all part of diaspora — the exodus or mass relocation of peoples due to societal or/and natural causes. The individual who migrated autonomously is still part of a phenomenon of mass displacement. Whether the displacement is apparently voluntary or involuntary through commercial recruiters (such as manning agencies, placement services, and other private trafficking businesses and ‘official trafficking policies’). Conflicts and natural calamities are sudden events that produce refugees on a mass scale. But societal or/and natural conditions can also be slow-evolving, resulting involuntary migration of individuals. All ofthis result in a diaspora – displacement and the creation of a mass of peoples or communities of the displaced. The worsening economic, environmental and human rights crisis in the Philippines continues to drive 7,000 Filipinos out of the country every day;” stressed Bishop Ablon.
San Martino Parochial Priest Don Giusto Della Valle
San Martino Parochial Priest Don Giusto Della Valle, shared the works of his parish helping undocumented migrants as well as refugees. He also shared his reflections on how human lives are becoming hostages to the ever-changing political landscape in Italy.
The Congress elected the officers that will compose the Executive Committee of the alliance in the next three years, namely: Fr. Herbert Fadriquela Jr. of Bayanihan Leicestershire in United Kingdom as Chairperson; Ann Brusola of Gabriela-Rome as Vice-Chairperson for Internal Affairs; Evangeline Irabon of Migrante-Como as Vice-Chairperson for External Affairs; Marlon Lacsamana of Migrante-The Hague, Netherlands as Secretary General; Rhodney Pasion of Migrante-Bologna as Deputy Secretary General; Kendy Sario, of Ugnayan ng mga Pilipino sa Belgium as Treasurer; and Elnora Held of Gabriela-Germany as Auditor,
The congress also approved the General Program of Action (GPOA) for 2020-2023 and the Constitution and By-Laws of Migrante-Europe.
Reference:
Marlon T. Lacsamana Secretary General, Migrante Europe [email protected]
Revd Fr. Herbert F. Fadriquela Jr. Chairperson, Migrante Europe [email protected]
The International Migrants Alliance (IMA)-Europe held a successful 2nd congress on 07 December 2019 in Como, Italy. With the theme of “Migrants, Refugees and Displaced Peoples Building Unity, Organizing to Reclaim Rights”, the congress was attended by over 100 participants representing 31 grassroots organizations and migrants, refugees and displaced peoples from Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Don Giusto Della Valle, Rector of the Parrocchia San Martino di Rebbio welcomed the congress delegates to his parish, known in the area for its work with displaced migrants and refugees. “We are builders of peace. But what kind of society do we want to build in Italy? How are we going to build it if we do not allow people to stay and allow them to contribute to this project? We need to support migrants because local legislation is becoming more and more unfriendly towards them.”
Bishop Antonio Ablon of the Philippine Independent Church (IFI) and representing the European Network for Justice and Peace in the Philippines (ENJPP) stressed how the worsening economic and human rights crisis in the Philippines continues to drive 7,000 Filipinos out of the country everyday. He further stressed the role of the diaspora in the project of social and national liberation in their countries of origin.
Fabio Cani of Como Senza Frontiere said that we have to narrate migrant stories as testimonies of unjust global structural problems. Pietro Bassi, Professor of Sociology and Director of the Masteral Course in Immigration at the University of Venice, warned of a ‘war’ against migrants and immigrants being waged by Europe. ‘It seems Europe does not want migrant workers. But in fact, they contribute 10% to the receiving country’s GDP. They want migrants but if possible on their knees, naked and without expectations or irregular – that is, irregularized, with no rights and clandestine.’
The assembly also elected their new set of officers including (Chairperson) Zaria Galiano of Comitato Degli Immigrati, Italy; (Vice Chairperson) Ibrahim Coulibaly of AssociazioneMande, Europe; (Secretary General) Maitet Ledesma of Pinay sa Holland-GBARIELA, Netherlands; and (Treasurer) Helen Bulusan of the Filipino Domestic Workers Association, UK. Revelin Irabon of Migrante Como-Milano youth committee, Italy was elected as representative for refugees.
As a sign of their growing commitment to strengthen their unity across Europe, the assembly welcomed 20 new members to the regional alliance. The general program of action approved by the assembly aims to grow the alliance in the next 3 years to provide an effective network that will bring the voices of migrants, refugees and displaced peoples in all arenas of advocacy – from the local to the regional – for the purpose of organizing to reclaim their rights!
