Justice for Philippines Massacre
Today UNI Global Union and affiliates around the world participated in an international day of solidarity for the victims of the killings, their families and all Philippines journalists and media workers.
An international mission led by the International Federation of Journalists currently in Manila raises concerns over the commitment and capacity of Philippine authorities to guarantee a full and independent prosecution of the killers of 31 journalists and media workers and at least 26 other victims of the massacre. The mission report has been produced following four intensive days of meetings with the families of those killed, witnesses, the local media community, lawyers and government officials in Manila and General Santos City. The mission team comprises representatives from the IFJ, leading journalists’ rights and press freedom organisations, the Australia’s Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance as well as the UNI APRO and UNI Philippines Liaison Council.
The report was presented at a press conference in Brussels today. A delegation of IFJ and UNI MEI was received by the Minister and Consul of the Embassy of the Philippines in Brussels afterwards. Representatives of IFJ and UNI MEI voiced their concerns that the killings mark a turning point towards a culture of impunity of violence against journalists and media workers. The Minister and Council underlined the government’s commitment to bring the killers to justice and informed the delegation of the progress of investigation. The Embassy invited IFJ and UNI Global Union to continue dialogue and exchange of information as the prosecution further develops.
The report emphasises the urgent need for assistance of the families of the victims. They are in need of a professionally handled trauma counselling programme. They also need legal assistance to both prosecute individual or collective damage claim cases and to bring pressure on the government to expedite its own procedure, the report continues. Further the report underlines that the families of all victims are in need of immediate financial support as well as follow-up assistance to help generate a sustainable income and assistance in finding employment. To download the mission report, please click above “related files”.
UNI MEI affiliates around the world participated in a series of actions leading up to today’s day of international solidarity to pressure their home governments and the Government of the Philippines to assure justice for the victims of November 23. Affiliates sent petitions to their governments and joined sister journalists unions in the Philippines in visits to Embassies and Consulates of the Philippines in their home countries.