CAMILLIANUM STUDENTS ATTEND INT'L CONVENTIONS

Last November 21-25, two major international conventions were organized here in Rome. The first convention was organized by our very own institute last November 21-22 on “Solidarity and Justice in Health” at the “Aula Magna” of Camillianum. More than 100 visitors and students attended the two-day convention from the different schools and health institutions. This is part of the build-up activity in preparation for the General Chapter in May 2007. Eleven distinguished speakers graced the occasion including the Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. All of them presented a “life-situation” in dire need of healing due to gross injustices perpetrated in the global society especially against the ballooning number of the poverty-stricken individuals. The work or ministry for justice in the healthcare world is no longer an option for any institution, organization, congregation and the civil society to venture as a form of expression of their service, but, it is a MUST and an essential endeavor that every individual should undertake.


The second convention was last November 23-25 on “The Pastoral Aspects of the Treatment of Infectious Diseases” at the Vatican City New Synod Hall. More than 600 delegates, listening to the 35 provocative speakers from all over the world, attended this. Among the panel of speakers were Fr. Frank Monks and Fr. Jacques Simpore. The topics where organized into three major themes: the reality, the illumination and the action to be taken before this great menace to life. It was a bit surprising to hear that apart from HIV/AIDS and other STDs that are terribly blooming, TB maintained its crown as being one of the top five killer infectious diseases. All of them affirmed that the increasing incidence of infectious diseases (IDs) and other diseases is due to the current global socio-political, cultural and economic trends in our global society, which is predominantly characterized by a profit-hungry system, which is commonly dubbed as “globalization.” This system breeds social and economic disparity, ecological and cultural destruction and political dominance by the few powerful nations. It was in this context, that our pastoral initiatives must be reviewed and renewed in order to address this present threat of a “genocide” brought about by IDs. At the second day, all delegates have moved to the sala of the Pope for a 30-minute special audience wherein he addressed the assembly to be more proactive in undertaking this task of bringing the merciful love of Christ to the victims and to strengthen our solidarity to fight against IDs.
These conventions gave a great opportunity for the students of Camillianum to explore more avenues for learning apart from the classroom and to enrich our experiences with others who came from the different regions of the world with a strong commitment to bring healing to this severely wounded world. The rich information (statistics) that we gathered from those conventions reflect the poor initiatives and the “to and fro” (inconsistent) commitment that we have in the struggle of the victims against all diseases and injustices that murder them every second. Nonetheless, it continues to challenge us to be more active in giving hope and live with these death-threatened brothers and sisters, not anymore as a matter of choice or option but as an indispensable human responsibility.

Campaign for Human Rights in the Philippines (CHRP)

Members of the SenateGSIS Bldg.
Financial Center
Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
Philippines

6th November 2006

Dear Senators,

I am respectfully writing to you on behalf of the UK-based Campaign for Human Rights in the Philippines over our concerns with regard to Senate Bill no.2137 (the Dangerous Provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Bill). As our name suggests we are an organisation that highlights the current human rights situation in the Philippines, and then works to build support for the promotion of said human rights.

As such we are particularly concerned about aspects in the current Senate Bill that I believe is shortly to be debated in the Senate. Although we can understand the global desire to debate legislation to protect a state or its citizens from acts of terrorism, it seems to us that the Bill as currently written creates a bad precedent with regard to the potential abuse of the civil liberties of individuals. Indeed governments have a duty to take steps to protect citizens from terrorism, but this does not justify side-stepping
democratic values, and we fear that this Bill errs too heavily on the side of giving the executive powers that have the potential to be abused.

Some of our key concerns include the following:

- There is no clear definition of who a terrorist is. A person may be labelled as a terrorist by reason solely of his religious or political belief;
- It creates a new set of crimes;
- Police, military or any government law officer, without incurring any
criminal liability may engage in wire tapping for a period of one hundred
twenty (120) days. This may be done through an ex parte written application
before the Regional Trial Court to be permitted, based only on reasonable
grounds. The written application and the order of the court is declared
as “classified information.”;
- Mere membership in an organization, declared as a terrorist organization is
punishable by law. And any legitimate exercise of one’s right for redress of
grievances may be considered as terrorism, by reason solely of his
membership in an organization, association or group of persons, labelled as
a terrorism group;
- A person may be arrested and detained without judicial warrant of arrest for
a period of 15 days. The police, military and government law officer will
not incur any criminal liability;
- Bank deposits, accounts and records may be examined through an ex parte
written application by the police and military officers before the Regional
Trial Court. The written application and order of the court allowing such
examination is considered classified information. The bank examination may
be undertaken for a period of one hundred twenty (120) days.

We are sure that you appreciate that when such serious issues are legislated
upon, that it is a duty to ensure that it is done in a manner that does not sacrifice the human rights of individuals. As written this Bill could potentially make ‘terrorists’ of those legitimately opposing the incumbent government. Repression and injustice, and the criminalisation of non-violent protest, make us less safe, not more so. They act as a recruiting sergeant to extremism and marginalise those whose engagement is vital to the effective fight against terrorism. They undermine the values that separate us from the terrorist, the very values we should be fighting to protect.

As is well publicised we too have experience of combating terrorism within the United Kingdom. However, since the Prevention of Terrorism Acts of the 1970s, UK terrorism laws have done little to ensure that we are safe from terrorist attack, but have done much to infringe the human rights and civil liberties of those living in the UK. So we can make these points directly from our own experience.

We respectfully request that you consider these points in the forthcoming debates, and will act accordingly.

Yours sincerely,

Andrew Whitmore

On behalf of the Campaign for Human Rights in the Philippines (CHRP)
73 Thrayle House Benedict Road
Stockwell London SW9