Human Rights in the Philippines featured at York U

Human Rights in the Philippines featured at York U

TORONTO–Marking the 40th anniversary of martial law, a panel of former political prisoners and activists will tell their own stories of detention and describe the ongoing struggles against human rights abuses in the Philippines.

The panel dicussion, titled, “Human Rights in the Philippines: A Continuing Struggle,” will be held Tuesday, Oct. 16, 6-8 pm at York University (Keele Campus, Room 280N, 2nd floor York Lanes).
Organized by Philip Kelly, Director, York Centre for Asian Research, the panel is intended to connect students at York University with the histories of struggle undertaken by their parents’ generation, and to raise their awareness of contemporary human rights issues in the Philippines.

The panelists are:

• Ricky Esguerra – former political prisoner; Philippine Solidarity Network; Vice-Chair for Education, Community Alliance for Social Justice, Toronto.

• Hermie Garcia – former political prisoner; Editor, The Philippine Reporter; President, Community Alliance for Social Justice.

• Bern Jagunos – Asia Program Coordinator, United Church of Canada.

• Perry Sorio – former political prisoner; Secretary-General, Migrante Canada.

The discussants are François Tanguay-Renaud – Associate Professor, Osgoode Hall Law School; Director, Nathanson Centre on Transnational Human Rights, Crime and Security, York University. It will be moderated by Alex Felipe, BAYAN-Canada, Toronto.

In September 1972, democratic freedoms were suspended in the Philippines when President Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law. Tens of thousands of Filipinos were arrested and imprisoned. Although martial law was lifted in 1981, the struggle for human rights, democracy and development continues into the present. Even today, over 300 political detainees remain imprisoned and extra-judicial killings have been widespread.

This panel discussion sponsored by:

• York Centre for Asian Research

• Nathanson Centre on Transnational Human Rights, Crime and Security, York University

• Migrante-Canada

• Community Alliance for Social Justice (CASJ)

• BAYAN-Canada

Photo Exhibit

In association with the panel, a photographic exhibition on human rights in the Philippines will be shown in York University’s Scott Library, starting on October 1st. Curated by photographer Alex Felipe, the exhibit will provide a graphic account of struggles for human rights over the last 40 years in the Philippines

The exhibit will open on Monday October 1st and will be located on the ground floor of York’s main library.

Admission to both the panel discussion and photo exhibit is free. Refreshments provided.

(PRESS RELEASE)