6 days before SONA, Youth leaders launch campaign calling for justice to all victims of human rights violations during Martial Law

Youth leaders from different universities and colleges launch a kick off campaign calling for justice to all victims of human rights violations during Martial Law. This is in preparation for the commemoration of the 40th declaration of Martial Law on September 21, 2012 and six days before President Aquino’s SONA.

In a forum/press conference held yesterday, July 17, 2012, at the University of the Philippines College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP) in Diliman, Quezon City, the youth groups launch an information campaign which they call #rememberML@40. A youth counterpart of the broad campaign network of human rights defenders and NGOs which started last March 21, 2012.

We the youth are united in calling for President Aquino to be sincere in giving the long overdue justice to all victims of Martial Law. “Pass the Compensation Act now!” Said Noliver Barrido, spokesperson of the human rights defenders group, Youth for Rights (Y4R).

We are reminding P-Noy about his declaration during his 2011 SONA to compensate all victims of Martial Law, yet one year after the bill is still pending in the Senate. “What makes it difficult for the government to pass a bill which is due to the victims?” Alex Castro, UP University Student Council Vice Chairperson added.

Inspired by the heroism of youth leaders and activists who fought against the dictatorship in the 60’s and 70’s the group declared in a statement, “Hindi sila pumayag noon, hindi tayo papayag ngayon!” A commitment they pledge against the continuous human rights violations happening in the country.

According to the group they will solicit pinky pledges to symbolize commitment to truth, justice and human rights and as a way to popularize the campaign among the youth.

Through the combination of online and offline activities, we aim to reach the broadest number of our fellow youth. We want them to be informed and inspired with the truth and lessons that we as a nation learned from the struggle of martyrs and heroes in defending human rights against tyranny and suppression.” The group concluded.

The group was represented by Herat Dino and Alex Castro, Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of The University Student Council of UP Diliman, Noliver Barrido of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), Alvin Quinto of Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking (CYAN) and Shaina Santiago of UP-Kaisa.

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The #rememberML@40 youth campaign coordinating committee is composed of: Youth for Rights, University Student Council-UP Diliman, UP Diliman League of College Councils, Kaisa-UP Diliman, Alyansa UP Diliman, Magkaisa CSSP, PLM-Kampi, CSA Advocacy Team-De La Salle –CSB, UPM, PUP, CYAN, SalinLahi, Y4R-DLS-CSB, Y4R-Marikina Polytechnic College, Y4R-University of Makati, Y4R-St Josephs College QC, Y4R-Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Akbayan Youth, Partido ng Mangagawa- youth, Youth for Nationalism and Democracy (YND), Sanlakas Youth, Stand-UP. Community youth: Y4R in Payatas QC, Cagayan, Bulacan, and Manila, Partido Lakas ng Masa Youth –Manila and Quezon City. Other supporting youth groups: IAMSAM-UST, Move-UP UPLB, Edsa People Power Foundation NCR-Youth, Bukluran-PLM

For more details please contact:
Noli Barido (Y4R spokesperson): 09159666109, brainiac_revilon@yahoo.com
Alex Castro (UP Diliman): 09065701029, alexandracruzcastro@yahoo.com
Egay Cabalitan (TFDP): 09219645017, egay.advocacytfdp@gmail.com
Rose Trajano (PAHRA): 09065531792, pahra@philippinehumanrights.org

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