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[English]: Permit Revoked, Parallel Event Begins

[español]: Permiso revocado, se comienza el evento paralelo

[français]: Permis annulé, commencement de l´événement parallèle

[English]

MRI - "ROAD TO MANILA": Update on GFMD 2008 and Civil Society Activities

No. MRI/GFMD2008/20 24 October 2008 ENGLISH

Re: Permit Revoked, Parallel Event Begins

Dear Friends,

The Peoples' Global Action on Migration, Development and Human Rights (PGA), a civil society event parallel to the Global Forum on Migration and Development, started on 22 October 2008.

The urgency of unified efforts to advocate to defend migrants' rights and to combat their exclusion from international debates on migration policy, was highlighted by the sudden cancellation by Philippine authorities of a public assembly permit for PGA activities. The permit had been issued months earlier for peaceful marches and activities.

Regardless of this development, PGA organizers have made clear their resolve to continue according to plan in order to make sure that the voices of migrants and civil society are heard at the GFMD.

For photos from the event see:

http://picasaweb.google.com.ph/migrantsrightsinternational/OpeningOfPeoplesGlobalActionOnMigrationDevelopmentAndHumanRights#

Please find below two reports from the previous days. For more updates, information and images also see:

- http://www.mfasia.org/peoplesglobalaction/index.html

- "Migrant Diaries," blog of the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR), at http://www.migrantsrightsinternational.blogspot.com/.

Sincerely,

Migrants Rights International

Organizers of the Peoples' Global Action on Migration, Development, and Human Rights Incensed Over the Revocation of Municipal Permit

By Sarah Callaham / MRI

21 October 2008 Manila, Philippines

Local organizers of the Peoples' Global Action on Migration, Development and Human Rights (PGA) held a press conference today to denounce the sudden cancellation of a municipal permit to hold peaceful marches and mobilizations scheduled as part of the PGA.

The PGA was issued a permit by the Manila City government to use the Rajah Sulayman public park on June 25, 2008, only to have it revoked on October 16, 2008, just days before the event was to take place. The government stated they cancelled the permit because of the "infiltration by leftist groups."

PGA organizer Ellene Sana from the Center for Migrant Advocacy criticized this justification, stating that governmental allegations that civil society events "present a danger" is the type of excuse that has been used time and again to close down the discussion of human rights for migrants. Speakers emphasized that all PGA events were peaceful, and the government has known about them for months; PGA organizers have been part of a government commission in planning for the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD).

William Gois of Migrant Forum in Asia stated that this further excludes migrants from the global debate on migration policy. This has been a general critique of GFMD processes thus far.

Rex Varona of the Asian Migrant Center stated that this is shameful on the part of the Filipino government. The revocation of the permit is in direct contrast to the progressive and open attitude the Filipino government had originally tried to portray in regards to the rights of migrants.

Teady Navea from BMR/SALAG stated that trade unions have formed the SALAG, Solidarity Action of Labor Against GFMD, and that the trade unions will lead a march on October 27, even without a permit.

Speakers spoke about the importance of the participation of migrants in the discussions about migration policy. For Filipino groups this is an especially important issue. They highlighted that the Philippines has a policy of generating income through sending workers abroad, who send remittances home – 8 million Filipino migrants are sent abroad a year. But speakers stressed that this is not a policy that they should be proud of; migrants do not have adequate protections – an average of 2 Filipino migrants are sent back every day.

Varona stated that "the Filipino government, through the denial of the freedom to assembly and expression, and the denial of the right to participation, is demonstrating a superficial protection of migrants." He called for the need for comprehensive protections from the government in order to ensure human rights, and stressed that all sectors must be involved in the process to secure these rights for migrants. All speakers stressed that migrants rights are human rights, that migrant workers are not commodities, development is a basic right, and migration should be a choice.

Civil Society Members March in advocacy for Migrants' Rights

By Angela Sarakan / MRI

Manila, 24 October 2008

The People's Global Action on Migration, Development and Human Rights kicked off on Wednesday with a rally and a march in Manila, Philippines. This event represented a tribute to the rights of migrants across the world, and an affirmation on the part of PGA participants that they would proceed with their plans despite the sudden revocation of their assembly permit by city police. From its speeches and performances to the symbolic walk across the Rajah Sulayman Park, the event demonstrated the importance of collectively defending the human dignity of migrants.

Speakers from both the Philippines and abroad expressed their concerns regarding the upcoming Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD), which has been criticized for viewing migration solely in terms of economic development, placing minimal importance upon the human rights of migrants. Among the presenters were migrant workers, representatives of migrant advocacy groups, and a member of the city cabinet. There was also a musical and dance performance by singer and songwriter Bayang Barrios, who awed the crowd with her progressive lyrics and expressive movements.

Emcee May-i Fabros encouraged participants to march with confidence despite the recent revocation of their assembly permit. "We're not just going to sit and be silent," she said. "We are going to stand up and shout." Former Filipino/a migrant workers shared their stories, and Nunu Kidane, a representative of Priority Africa Network (PAN), expressed solidarity from the African continent, voicing concerns over the innumerable Africans dying on their way to Europe.

After the presentations, everyone walked together from the Malate Catholic Church to Rajah Sulayman Park, where police were waiting with their riot gear. The march continued, as participants shouted chants such as "Our workers make us strong!" and "Migrants' rights are human rights!" Rex Varona, from the Asian Migrant Centre, urged both the protesters and nearby spectators to stand firm in the face of governmental disregard for the human rights of migrants.