Colmenares visits Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Montreal

Colmenares visits Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Montreal

By Lui Queaño

The Philippine Reporter

From reports by MALAYA Canada

Neri Colmenares
(Photo: Migrante Alberta

IN ALBERTA:

The community forum held in Calgary and Edmonton, organized by Malaya Canada and ICHRPP Canada, featured a presentation by Atty Neri Colmenares. The discourse primarily centred on a range of concerns, including the substantial debts, corruption, and inequitable governance exhibited by leaders in the Philippines. The Powerpoint presentation delivered by Colmenares shed light on the enduring poverty in the Philippines, which is accompanied by widespread instances of human rights violations. According to Colmenares, individuals who have engaged in human rights violations and corruption ought to be subjected to legal proceedings and held responsible for their misconduct. Colmenares urged the participants to persist in their struggle, emphasizing the potential for social change when Filipinos unite and take collective action.  According to Colmenares, the collective action of the people power movement was instrumental in the overthrow of the dictator.

From left: Patricia Lisson (ICHRP Canada chair), Neri Colmenares, MP Heather McPherson and Migrante Canada chair Danilo de Leon. (Photo: Migrante Alberta)

Respect international law and human rights

During a prearranged meeting at the office of Member of Parliament Heather McPherson, Colmenares, along with representatives from Migrante Alberta and the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP), discussed the prevailing human rights conditions in the Philippines.

In a Facebook post, McPherson expressed her profound concern regarding the escalating incidence of extrajudicial killings and abductions. According to McPherson it is imperative for the Canadian government to urge the Philippine government to uphold principles of international law and safeguard human rights

Neri Colmenares posed for a photo with Edmonton’s Filipino community.
(Photo: Migrante Alberta)

Neri Colmenares with ICHRP Canada chair Patricia Lisson (back row, behind Colmenares), Bloc Tremblay (in a black and blue suit), Duceppe (sixth from the left in the back row), and Bern Jagunos (in pink coat). (Photo: ICHRP Canada)

IN OTTAWA:

By Lui Queaño

LJI Reporter

The Philippine Reporter

From reports by MALAYA and ICHRP-Canada

Liberal MP Sameer Zuberi (in black suit) met Neri Colmenares at his office in Ottawa. (Photo: ICHRP Canada)

Simon Pierre Savard Tremblay and Alexis Brunelle Duceppe, both members of the Bloc Quebecois, met Bayan Muna leader and veteran human rights lawyer Neri Colmenares at an October 4 meeting in Ottawa.

Colmenares and the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP-Canada) delegation discussed the significant impact of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy on the human rights situation in the Philippines.

Tremblay stated in recent Facebook posts that he and Alexis Brunelle Duceppe had the pleasure of meeting representatives of human rights organisations working in the Philippines, including the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP-Canada).

Patricia Lisson (left) , the chair of ICHRP-Canada, posed for a photograph with Neri Colmenares, human rights lawyer and chair of Bayan Muna Partylist. (Photo: ICHRP Canada)

Concerns about Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, and specifically Canada’s pending defence cooperation memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Philippine government, were a major topic of discussion at the meeting. Under the current regime of Marcos Jr., the Philippines has the worst track record of human rights abuses.

In a Facebook post, Tremblay stated, “Of course, they can count on my support and that of my colleagues.Trade and its economic benefits should never prioritise the welfare and respect for the rights of the populations concerned.”

Bloc Québécois MP Tremblay, a member of the Subcommittee and Procedure of the Standing Committee on International Trade, was elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 2019 and represents the Saint Hyacinthe-Bagot electoral district. Duceppe is the current Vice-chairman of the International Human Rights Subcommittee of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.

Neri Colmenares is on a speaking tour in Canada about human rights and diaspora issues in various Canadian cities organised by Malaya Canada and ICHRP-Canada. The speaking tour began at a packed community forum in Toronto last October 1. The remaining cities on the itinerary are Montreal, Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver.

Montreal community group photo with Neri Colmenares (Photo: ICHRP Canada)

IN MONTREAL:

Neri Colmenares delivering a speech during a luncheon gathering with the Filipino community in Montreal.
(Photo: Andy Thran)

Colmenares actively involved the Filipino community in Montreal, with a specific focus on the youth demographic, by encouraging them to actively participate in effecting social transformation. During a youth forum held at Université de Montréal, Colmenares was questioned about the present condition of Philippine democracy, specifically addressing the ongoing fascist assaults targeting community activists. Colmenares expressed remorse for the onerous responsibilities that have been imposed upon the younger generation, who face a multitude of difficulties and obstacles in their future endeavours. Although the situation is indeed challenging, Colmenares maintains an optimistic perspective regarding the ability of the Filipino youth to rise to the occasion. He believes that their analytical thinking, articulate communication skills, and open-mindedness enable them to embrace the challenges presented by previous generations.

A luncheon was organised in Montreal to honour Neri Colmenares, which was attended by members of the Filipino community. The event commenced with opening remarks delivered by Stephanie Valenzuela, a Filipino Councillor in Montreal.

Anakbayan Montreal, in collaboration with various community groups including Development and Peace-Caritas CAnada, FOCUS-Filipino Organisation of Concordia University Students, PINAY Quebec, Filipino Parents Association in Quebec, International Women’s Alliance in Canada, and Centre for Philippine Concerns, organised a social event titled “Nerioke.” This event served as a prelude to Neri Colmenares’s scheduled keynote talk at Universite de Montreal, providing him with a light-hearted social gathering.

(Lui Queaño,with reports by Malaya-Canada)

Universite de Montreal group photo with Neri Colmenares (Photo: ICHRP Canada FB page)

Neri Colmenares attended a luncheon meeting with the Montreal Filipino group. (Photo: Malaya Canada FB page)

Councillor Stephanie Valenzuela of Montreal, who is of Filipino descent, delivered the opening remarks at the luncheon.
(Photo: ICHRP FB page)