URGENT ACTION * URGENT ACTION * URGENT ACTION * URGENT ACTION

ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME

20 July 2005

UA-125-2005: SAUDI ARABIA/PHILIPPINES: Assault of four protesters at the Philippines Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

SAUDI ARABIA/PHILIPPINES: Assault; Physical injuries; Freedom of peaceful assembly; Freedom of expression;

Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is forwarding to you information from the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM) in Hong Kong regarding the alleged assault of four Filipino workers, three of whom were women, during a peaceful demonstration at the premises of the Philippines Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. One of the victims, Jackiline Pakpakin, was seriously injured following a scuffle with the Consulate's Saudi guards on 16 July 2005.

The victims were demonstrating to express their concern over the present political crisis in the Philippines as well as the delay in the process of their repatriation. Since the peaceful demonstration took place within the premises of the Philippines Consulate, it is understood that it is legal. The Consulate is obliged to observe due respect on freedom of peaceful assembly and speech of its citizens abroad.

We urge your immediate intervention to ensure that an impartial investigation be conducted regarding this incident. Appropriate actions should be taken against those responsible for attacking the protesters. Please also urge the Commission on Human Rights in the Philippines (CHR) to intervene in this case as provided in Article XIII, section 18 (3) of the 1987 Constitution.

Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
DETAILED INFORMATION:

Name of the victims: Leo Legaspi, Jackiline Pakpakin, Jessica Hapos, and Irene Mahinay
Date and place of incident: 16 July 2005 at the premises of the Philippines Consulate in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Alleged perpetrators: Yusof, Anwar Andang, Atong and Ali Aguam

Four Filipinos, three of whom were women, who were peacefully demonstrating at the Philippines Consulate in Jeddah, Kingdom of Suadi Arabia, were seriously injured after they were attacked by Consulate guards on 16 July 2005.

The victims, namely, Leo Legaspi of Migrante, Jackiline Pakpakin, Jessica Hapos and Irene Mahinay were among the several protesters who suffered injuries following a scuffle reportedly with four Saudi guards at the Consulate. The alleged perpetrators were identified as Yusof, Anwar Andang, Atong and Ali Aguam.

Leo Legaspi, a member of Migrante, a migrant workers organization, and several women presently sheltered at the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Center in Jeddah voiced their request for Philippine President Gloria Arroyo's resignation in front of the media sources at the consulate. Some of the protesters currently have pending applications for repatriation assistance. A day before the incident, they wrote to Consul General Mr. Pendosina N. Lomondot requesting to meet him.

It was reported that while the protesters were at the reception area heading to ConGen Lomondot's office, one of the guards, Anwar Amdang, allegedly attacked Legaspi while he was giving instructions to his female companions to form a line and display the placards they were carrying.

According to Legaspi, his female companions and the leaders of Migrante, came to his rescue while he was assaulted and fell to the ground. As a result of this, a number of the women sustained injuries. Pakpakin suffered damage to ger feet, and Jessica Hapos and Irene Mahinay were punched.

Despite the incident, all the Philippine diplomatic mission in Saudi Arabia did was to recommend for a review in the security arrangement within the Consulate. The victims have been demanding for the dismissal from the government service of those perpetrators allegedly involved. They are likewise asking for compensation, and that demands for stranded workers for repatriation be acted on and approved immediately.

Suggested letter:

Dear _________,

Re: SAUDI ARABIA/PHILIPPINES: Assault of four protesters at the Philippines Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Name of the victims: Leo Legaspi, Jackiline Pakpakin, Jessica Hapos, and Irene Mahinay
Date and place of incident: 16 July 2005 at the premises of the Philippines Consulate in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Alleged perpetrators: Yusof, Anwar Andang, Atong and Ali Aguam

I am writing to draw you attention to the assault of four Filipino workers, three of whom were women, and several others who participated in a demonstration at the premises of the Philippine's Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 16 July 2005. I have learned that four of the Saudi guards at the Consulate allegedly attacked and assaulted the protesters who at the time were holding a peaceful assembly.

I was shocked to learn that one of the victims, Jackiline Pakpakin, suffered injuries to her feet as a result of the scuffle with the Saudi guards. Three other victims, Leo Legaspi of the Migrante, Jessica Hapos, and Irene Mahinay, were also slightly injured during the said incident. They were at that time demonstrating on the present political crisis in Philippines, as well as delays in the process of the application for repatriation.

I am aware that under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Filipino citizen's rights to peaceful assembly, demonstration and speech is guaranteed. I was saddened to learn that entitlement of such rights under Philippine law have not been observed and respected during the said incident, although the demonstration took place within the Philippine Consulate's premises.

I therefore urge your immediate intervention to ensure that a proper and independent investigation be conducted regarding this case. The Philippine government, in particular the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), must initiate appropriate sanctions against perpetrators involved. It must also indemnify the victims.

Further, I also request the Consul General to take immediate action for the approval of the victim's application for repatriation. The office of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) must also take appropriate steps to ensure the worker's protection and welfare.

Finally, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in the Philippines must also intervene in this case as provided in the in Article XIII, section 18 (3) of the 1987 Constitution, which stipulates: 'provide appropriate legal measures for the protection of human rights…as well as Filipinos residing abroad'.

I trust that you will take action in this case.

Sincerely yours,

__________________

PLEASE SEND LETTERS TO:

1. Secretary Alberto Romulo
Department of Foreign Affairs
2330 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City,
Philippines 1300
Tel: +63 2 834-3000 / +63 2 834-4000

2. Mr. Bahnarim A. Guinomla
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Site D3 Collector Road C, Diplomatic Quarter,
Riyadh, P.O. Box 94366,
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA 11693
Tel: +9661 482-3559 / 480 1918
Fax: 00-9661-488-3945
Email: filembry@sbm.net.sa / filembry@mailandnews.com

3. Mr. Pendosina N. Lomondot
Consul General
Al-Sayeddah Kaddija Street, Al Faisaliyah District 1
P.O. Box 4794, Jeddah 21412, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
Tel: +9662 6600-348, 6670-925, 6600-354
Fax: 00-9662-6630838
Email: jeddahpc@sps.net.sa, jeddah_pc@dfa.gov.ph

4. Commissioner Purificacion Quisumbing
Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman, Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Tel: +63 2 928-5655/+63 2 926-6188
Fax: +63 2 929-0102

5. Mrs. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
President, Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace
J.P. Laurel St., San Miguel, Manila
NCR 1005
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +632 2929 3968
Email: pgma@compass.com.ph or opnet@ops.gov.ph

6. Ms. Gabriela Rodríguez Pizarro
Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants
Attn: Ms. Veronica Birga
Room: 3-040
8-14 Avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9336
Fax: +41 22 917 9006
E-mail: vbirga@ohchr.org or urgent-action@ohchr.org (please include in the subject box: Special Rapporteur HR Migrants)

7. Mr. Ambeyi Ligabo
Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
Attn: Ms. Julie De Riviero
Room: 3-042
C/o OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9177
Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (general)
jderiviero@ohchr.org

Thank you.

Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
19/F, Go-Up Commercial Building,
998 Canton Road, Kowloon, Hongkong S.A.R.
Tel: +(852) - 2698-6339 Fax: +(852) - 2698-6367