[From the web] Mindy’s Musings: Blog Action Day to end impunity – en.wikipilipinas.org

Mindy’s Musings Hello WikiPinoys! It’s been more than two years since the last time I’ve blogged. I’m sure you guys have missed my musings. I’ve come out from this long hiatus to remind all of you about an important commemoration on November 23, 2011. It is the International Day to End Impunity, the worldwide commemoration…

Human Rights Online Philippines

November 21, 2011

2–3 minutes

Arroyo, Asia, Benigno Aquino III, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Impunity, Maguindanao massacre, Malacañang Palace, Philippine

Mindy’s Musings

Hello WikiPinoys! It’s been more than two years since the last time I’ve blogged. I’m sure you guys have missed my musings.

Mindy_with_WikiPilipinas_shirt — en.wikipilipinas.org

I’ve come out from this long hiatus to remind all of you about an important commemoration on November 23, 2011. It is the International Day to End Impunity, the worldwide commemoration of journalists, media people, and information sharers against impunity, or the relentless repression and intimidation against the media and activists highlighted by the murder of 58 people, including 31 journalists, in the Maguindanao Massacre on November 23, 2009.

Impunity has been one of the grim legacies of the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration. According to an editorial by the Philippine Online Chronicles: “President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo‘s ascent to Malacanang was, unfortunately, marked by the death of a prominent labor leader. Less than a month after Arroyo was sworn in as President on 20 January 2001, Filemon “Popoy” Lagman was assassinated by still-unknown forces, making him the first victim of extrajudicial killings under the Arroyo administration. Lagman’s demise was followed by at least 863 deaths as of 2007. At the tailend of her term, 57 people were allegedly murdered by a ruling political clan in Maguindanao.”

However, despite incumbent president Benigno Aquino III‘s promise of a shift toward good governance, impunity still exists as nine journalists have been killed in the 15-month reign of the current administration, according to Bulatlat.com.

Worldwide, the Philippines is ranked as third in Committee to Protect Journalists Impunity Index. This means that the Philippines is the third most dangerous place for journalists, just behind war-torn Iraq and Somalia. It is very ironic that our home country, which is regarded as Asia’s first democracy, is now one of the most dangerous places to live for people who are tasked to uphold democracy and freedom.

Read full article @ en.wikipilipinas.org