15.12.2010

"Health workers" could be free within a week

The so-called "Morong 43" health workers in the Philippines are expected to be free before Christmas. They had been arrested in February on suspicion of being communist rebels. UEM welcomed the news as it had demanded their release for months. Members of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines belong to the group of detainees. “We are happy that President Aquino decided to withdraw criminal charges after finding that they were denied due process”, Dr Jochen Motte, UEM’s Executive Secretary for Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation said. Together with the UCCP and human rights’ organisations he had demanded the release of the “Morong 43” if no evidence could be presented. The detainees and their laywers as well as the former head of the Philippine Commission on Human Right, Leila de Lima, had also reported about tortures in prison. Leila de Lima is now the Justice Secretary of the Philippines. UEM will continue in addressing human rights violations such as extrajudicial killings, political detentions and impunity.