[asia-apec 932] Joint Statement on Mrs. Miranda and other Detained OFWs
arnel f. de guzman
arnel at freemail.webquest.com
Thu Nov 26 16:19:02 JST 1998
JOINT STATEMENT
November 25, 1998
IMMEDIATE FREEDOM FOR VIOLETA
FAIR TRIAL FOR DETAINED OFWs
We, concerned individuals and representatives of non-governmental
organizations (NGOs), gathered today to raise our collective voices
to seek the freedom of our compatriot, Mrs. Violeta Miranda, a
Filipina nurse currently detained at the Al Nisa Jail in Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia. Recent reports stated that the Riyadh Investigation
Commission has already recommended to the Riyadh Governor the release
of Mrs. Miranda as it believes that the charges against her are
unfounded. We earnestly ask the concerned Saudi authorities through
the Saudi Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Saleh Al
Ghamdi, to expedite the release of Mrs. Miranda. If it is Mrs.
Miranda's wish to stay in the country for good, we also ask the
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to render all
necessary assistance in order for Mrs. Miranda and her family to live
decently in the Philippines.
We are equally concerned with the safety of two other Filipinos
detained in connection with the case of Mrs. Miranda. Mr. Jerry Roxas
and Ms. Leonora Jimeno are facing charges that carry the death
penalty in Saudi Arabia. We ask that a speedy and fair trial be given
them, with full assistance from the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh.
Knowing fully that the cases of Mrs. Miranda and Ms. Jimeno are just
but two of thousands of cases involving Filipino women migrant
workers, we pledge to continue working systematically for other
disadvantaged women migrant workers. As of June 1998, the Department
of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has reported that a total of 936 overseas
Filipino workers (OFWs) are under detention in various jails
worldwide. We think this figure is grossly underestimated. We are
combining our meager resources to monitor, research, lobby, and
campaign for abused, detained, maltreated fellow Filipinos working
abroad. This will be a pro-active and long-term campaign to ensure
that Filipino workers work with dignity and human rights in foreign
lands.
Original signed:
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL- PHILIPPINES
ATENEO HUMAN RIGHTS CENTER
SOCORRO BALLESTEROS
GRAZIANO BATTISTELLA (SCALABRINI MIGRATION CENTER)
COALITION AGAINST TRAFFICKING OF WOMEN (CATW)
ALMA CONCEPCION (Movie Actress)
CONCERNED FILIPINOS OF AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
CONCERNED WOMEN OF AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
ATTY. MILABEL CRISTOBAL
DELIVERY OF JUSTICE TO DISADVANTAGED WOMEN COALITION PROJECT (DAW)
DEVELOPMENT ACTION FOR WOMEN'S NETWORK (DAWN)
EPISCOPAL COMMISSION ON MIGRANTS AND ITINERANT PEOPLE (CBCP)
INSTITUTE ON CHURCH AND SOCIAL ISSUES (ICSI)
KAIBIGAN (FRIENDS OF FILIPINO MIGRANT WORKERS, INC.)
KAIBIGAN- BICOL
LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO WOMEN, INC. (LAW, INC.)- DAW
PINOY OVERSEAS PARTY (POP)
PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION (PGEA)- DAW
ATTY. MARY JANE REAL
MS. TESS RUEDA
UNITED FILIPINO SEAFARERS
WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
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